×

Our award-winning reporting has moved

Context provides news and analysis on three of the world’s most critical issues:

climate change, the impact of technology on society, and inclusive economies.

Pakistan floods - NGO ready to respond to humanitarian emergency

by Plan International | planglobal | Plan International
Friday, 24 July 2015 09:20 GMT

* Any views expressed in this article are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.

As severe monsoon rains fuel flooding across Pakistan, Plan International is aiding evacuation procedures and preparing urgent humanitarian aid - including child protection measures and emergency shelter, water, and sanitation relief.

All 4 provinces in Pakistan have been hit with severe flooding, which has displaced more than 500,000 people, destroyed houses, and resulted in several deaths. Flooding is expected to get worse and affect many more in the coming days, with forecasts for continued strong rain across the country.

Supporting children’s needs

“Many of these communities already live in extreme poverty, and the communities that are being displaced are already among the most vulnerable in Pakistan,” said Rashid Javed, Country Director for Plan International Pakistan.

“Children are particularly vulnerable when families get displaced and have to evacuate their homes, and making sure that children’s core needs around shelter, child protection, health care, and water, sanitation, and hygiene are Plan International Pakistan’s core priorities,” said Javed.

Plan International is currently assisting in rescue and evacuation operations in Punjab and has operations in several of the districts affected by the flooding, and has emergency supplies prepositioned in several locations around the country.

Ready with urgent aid

“With our extensive links with communities, local partners, government, and emergency responders, Plan International is ready to respond with urgent aid for children and communities affected by this emergency,” Javed added.

In recent years Pakistan has been devastated by successive waves of destructive flooding, including in 2010 when 20 million people were affected and almost 2 million homes destroyed. The current heavy rains and resulting floods are early in the monsoon season, and there are fears that the humanitarian situation could worsen substantially if flooding continues.

Spokespersons from Plan International Pakistan are available for comment and interview requests.

Plan International has worked in Pakistan since 1997, supporting around 1.6 million children in 4,945 communities across the country to access their rights to education, basic health care and nutrition, livelihoods, clean water, sanitation and protection.

Plan International Pakistan was at the forefront of the humanitarian response to the 2010 floods, providing emergency relief and development in the areas of child protection, education, water, sanitation and hygiene, shelter, and livelihoods assistance.

Read more about Plan International’s work in Pakistan

Media contacts:

Bangkok: Mike Bruce, Regional Communications Manager (Acting)
Mobile: +66(0)818219770+66(0)818219770
Email: mike.bruce@plan-international.org

Islamabad: Gauhar Iqbal, Press Officer
Mobile: +92 344-4109-394+92 344-4109-394
Email: gauhar.iqbal@plan-international.org

London: Angela Singh, Press Officer
Mobile: +44(0) 7773 636180+44(0) 7773 636180
Email: angela.singh@plan-international.org

-->