Pakistan Flood Victims Remain Homeless

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Months afterPakistan's devastating floods, many families remain homeless and cut off fromrelief. As winter fastapproaches, an entire flood survivor camp recently gathered to receive warmblankets, cooking sets and other relief supplies from AmeriCares.  Thedelivery fulfilled a commitment made by Riaz Khalil, an AmeriCares reliefworker who reached out to the community, met with families and learned of theirneeds.    The community had receivedsome early assistance, but much more was needed. Still living in their tents,the people in the camps were afraid they had been forgotten—until Riazappeared.  More importantly, he returnedwith the requested supplies and saw to it that each family received what theyneeded. "The floods inPakistan had destroyed their homes, farmlands and livestock," said Riaz. "In the days after the floods, the displaced families received tents and awater container from an international relief agency. However, they had receivedno further assistance for almost three months."   To ensure all of theaffected families received their supplies, AmeriCares local partner handed outcards to each family in the camp.  This pre-planning, based on AmeriCaresexperience, ensured that the distribution by Riaz, the local staff and thevillage leaders would run smoothly and the intended families would receive theassistance. The next day, in along line that curved around the school yard, the family representatives waitedtheir turn to pick up their items.  Riaz was joined by local partners, aswell as the school's principal and the district head who had welcomedAmeriCares to the community. Surprise and reliefwere evident as the much-needed supplies were distributed. Several people fromthe camp explained that others had visited in the past, all pledging to help,but none had returned—until now. AmeriCares kept itspromise—to families like Ayaz's and wherever people are in need.