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Appeal
Pakistan
Assistance to the Flood-Affected Families in Sindh, Pakistan - PAK151
Appeal Target: US$ 425,367
Geneva, 14 August 2015
According to the most recent UNOCHA report, 344,860 people have been evacuated in Sindh by the government and 251 relief camps have been established. There are 51,038 people in camps who have no access to clean and safe drinking water. Based on assessments conducted by ACT members Community World Service Asia and Norwegian Church Aid (NCA), people are using unsafe water sources for drinking and domestic purposes. Malaria is spreading rapidly in the temporary settlements and camps. The Government authorities have predicted an increase in flooding especially in Sindh province in the coming days because of continued heavy monsoon rains, increase in flood water level in Kabul, Indus, Jhelum and Chenab rivers as well as melting of the glacier in Diamer district.
The affected communities have lost almost all of their belongings including food stocks and other assets, i.e., standing crops, livestock, communication and transportation. Some of the areas are still not accessible and the extent of damages cannot be properly assessed. With almost 90% of the community dependent on agriculture and related activities, their livelihood sources have been severely disrupted by the floods which either washed away or badly affected farmlands. The other 10% mainly rely on livestock and although affected communities were able to save some of their animal, a number were either drowned or lost. Currently, sale of assets, reducing number of meals a day along with amount of food are the main coping mechanisms to deal with their food and income needs. Aside from immediate food, there is also need for support to livelihood recovery and repair of destroyed or damaged community infrastructure such as irrigation channels and water ponds.
The local government responsible officials (district coordination officers) have declared an emergency in districts worst affected by floods. The government is responding to provide relief to people in respective districts while provincial government remains reluctant to declare an emergency and call for international assistance because of political pressure from opposition parties. Although the provincial government has distributed tents in various districts (to a limited population) there is still a huge gap in provision of food, shelter, WASH and NFIs and health services.
ACT Pakistan Forum members, Community World Service Asia and Norwegian Church Aid are planning to assist the most vulnerable communities with health and WASH.
For the full appeal document, please click here.
