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THOUSANDS OF families are receiving life-saving aid after massive flooding in South Asia killed hundreds of people, wiping out homes and livelihoods, reports children’s charity Plan International.
Heavy monsoon rains in Pakistan have affected more than 1.6 million people, killing at least 191.
In Bangladesh and India, about a million people have been displaced, with poor sanitation putting them at risk of disease.
Meanwhile in neighbouring Myanmar, more than 1.3 million people have been affected with 2,500 schools and hundreds of health clinics remaining closed after flood damage.
“The rains have severely affected several countries across the region, destroying lives and livelihoods, as well as homes and vital services,” says Mark Pierce, Plan’s Regional Director in Asia.
“While some of the flood waters are starting to recede, the emergency has not ended. Many people remain without water, food and shelter, which along with hygiene and sanitation, will be our focus,” she adds.
Plan in Myanmar has focused its response on Rakhine State, where dozens of communities are in urgent need of food and clean drinking water.
Aid workers from the organisation have been distributing food, hundreds of bottles of water, 10,000 water purification tablets and tarpaulins, as well as conducting awareness-raising sessions on child protection and safety.
The Jersey Overseas Aid Commission has also donated £30,000 to the Myanmar response, which will help 18,000 people, including 12,000 children, access essential household items, hygiene kits and clean water.
In Pakistan, Plan has helped with evacuations in Punjab as well as providing emergency aid.
With the support of the emergency funding body, the START Network, Plan will be supporting 3,000 of the most vulnerable families with clean water, health and hygiene kits and temporary shelters.
“Many of the communities affected in Pakistan already live in extreme poverty, and those that are being displaced are already among the most vulnerable in Pakistan,” says Rashid Javed, Country Director for Plan International in Pakistan.
“Children are particularly at risk when families have to evacuate their homes. That’s why child protection, along with healthcare, water, sanitation, and hygiene are our core priorities,” said Mr Javed.
In Bangladesh, Plan is also focusing on water, sanitation and hygiene, while in India Plan is providing technical support on education and child protection.
The flooding has been caused by a combination of seasonal but heavy monsoon rains and the arrival of tropical Cyclone Komen, which hit the region at the end of last month.
For more information on Plan’s work or to make a donation call 0800 526 848 or visit www.plan-uk.org
