Families transport their emergency food rations in southern flood-affected Pakistan. Photo: CWS-P/A.
Rowato receives an emergency food package for his family. Photo: CWS-P/A.
A food distribution to flood-affected families in Sindh, Pakistan. Photo: CWS-P/A.
Survivors of Pakistan’s second round of massive flooding are bracing for the worst as the winter season approaches. The situation remains bleak as risks of disease, malnutrition and lack of food are only being exacerbated as cold temperatures move in. Three million people need food assistance, approximately 800,000 are still displaced and about 3.6 million require agricultural support.
Lack of funding from the international community has created a crisis situation. The UN has achieved only a fifth of its relief target and other humanitarian and aid agencies are also severely under-funded. While discomfort with the political environment in the country may be partly to blame for people being unwilling to support relief activities, the reality is that millions of lives are at stake.
PWS&D relies exclusively on the dedicated, compassionate work of local partner, Church World Service – Pakistan/Afghanistan, rather than work through government agencies. CWS-P/A is committed to ensuring aid reaches those who are in dire need, following the highest accountability standards. Relief activities are conducted efficiently and effectively, in close partnership.
Together, PWS&D and CWS-P/A—with the invaluable support of Canadian Foodgrains Bank—are providing urgently needed food packages to nearly 25,000 people in Thatta, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot and Badin Districts. Essential non-food items have gone out to 17,500 people and shelter kits are providing some people with temporary protection from the elements. Food relief consists of a carefully prepared package that provides just over 2,000 calories per person, per day, with 12% of calories from protein and 17.8% of calories from fats, as per international standards for food aid.
Rowato’s Story
“The flood destroyed my village, my home and all our household materials,” said 63-year-old Rowato Kolhi of Umerhot District. “On two acres of land I cultivated sugarcane and cotton, but they are fully destroyed.”
Rowato arrived at the food distribution centre in a very weak condition, and with a dangerous fever. CWS staff was quick to attend to his need and help him get some strength back. Rowato was then able to tell his story. “After 27 days, we returned to our village and found everything a mess. Our home had fallen down and our beds, clothes and utensils were all damaged or washed away.”
It was difficult to share news that the family’s three goats and one buffalo all drowned in the flood. “My wife now frequently gets sick,” Rowato said. “She cannot accept the loss of our animals.”
Rowato used to earn about 4,000 rupees (about $47 CAD) each month from working his land. With everything now destroyed, he faces the enormous challenge of trying to restore his livelihood in order to support the family.
Fortunately, Rowato is receiving food and supplies that are providing essential support to help the family get through this difficult period. Longer-term work is looking at establishing food security and greater stability for the future.
Rowato and his family do not yet have shelter—they sleep outside, unprotected. But Rowato is grateful for the assistance he has received. “I can now survive for another month with the [food] rations,” he said.
PWS&D and CWS-P/A are committed to the rural communities in Pakistan that are struggling to survive in the aftermath of the floods. Through assistance in agriculture production, combined with food rations and the provision of household supplies, we believe that flood victims will be able to rebuild their homes, livelihoods, health and find lasting solutions for greater stability and security.
Your support is urgently needed to help bring relief to those suffering from the massive flooding in Pakistan—the majority who were already struggling with poverty and food insecurity. With your help, shelter kits, food and basic health services will be provided to those who are most affected.
Please donate today
You can make a donation through your church, mail a cheque to the office, donate online or call PWS&D at 1-800-619-7301 ext. 291. Please mark donations as “Pakistan Flood Relief.”
Presbyterian World Service & Development is the development and relief agency of The Presbyterian Church in Canada. Visit the PWS&D Facebook page.
