Flood-affected women and children in north-western Pakistan urgently need aidFEATURE
By Shandana Aurangzeb Durrani PESHAWAR, Pakistan, 10 August 2010 – “I spent four nights on top of a tree,” says Araba Bibi, 70, a widow from Jala Bela village on the outskirts of Peshawar in north-western Pakistan’s flood-ravaged Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. “My house is no more. Nothing is left,” she laments. “Look at my feet – they are bleeding, as I have no slippers. My clothes are filthy.” With tears in her eyes, Ms. Bibi explains that her mud house has been destroyed and her belonging are buried in the rubble. According to UN estimates, a total of 14 million people – including 6 million children – have been affected by the flood crisis. The figure is expected to continue rising – especially now that flooding has reached hundreds of villages in Sindh Province, located in the country's south, where heavy rain continues to fall. Working at full speed “UNICEF is ramping up its relief operation for the millions of people affected by the flooding,” says UNICEF Representative in Pakistan Martin Mogwanja. “Many of those are children who are especially vulnerable to disease and the present harsh conditions. They need water, medicine, food and shelter urgently." Mr. Mogwanja, who is also the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Pakistan, adds that “things will probably get worse before they start getting better. We are working at full speed to respond to the most urgent needs of the affected populations.” To meet the immediate needs of survivors in north-western Pakistan, UNICEF has appealed for US$47.3 million to fund its flood relief operations. Safe drinking water is crucial In Jala Bela and surrounding villages, UNICEF’s implementing partner, the non-governmental organisation SSD, is distributing safe drinking water and family hygiene kits. Providing safe drinking water to families whose water supply has been damaged by the flood is now crucial to avert potential disease outbreaks among survivors – especially the spread of deadly diarrhoeal diseases in young children. UNICEF is also supporting the government’s efforts to restore water supply systems in flood-affected areas. So far, around 700,000 people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province have regained access to safe drinking water through restoration of 91 tube wells and water trucking. Water filters, soap, buckets and jerry cans for carrying water are also being distributed to families in need. Help us save or children While water levels are slowly receding in villages like Jala Bela, the deluge of water has left in its wake a trail of destruction. The floods, the worst in Pakistan in 80 years, has damaged or destroyed 160,000 houses across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province alone. “Every village on this road has the same story. Nothing is left,” says Iftikhar Ahmad, a former local official. “Our crops, livestock and houses [are gone], there are no food provisions, all water sources are damaged and contaminated, and children are suffering from skin diseases and stomach problems. “We urgently need tents,” Mr. Ahmad adds in an exhausted tone. “We need clean water and medical services. We are desperate. Please help us to save our children.” Tim Ledwith contributed to this story from New York.
Media Prima-NSTP Pakistan Disaster Relief Fund  .jpg){kind=small} Pakistan Floods - Immediate Needs  Newsline: Pakistan Floods
28 September 2010:
'Mother and Child Days' in Swat valley 27 September 2010: Health and education aid for Southern Pakistan 21 September 2010: 10 million children at-risk in Pakistan .............................................. Pakistan Flood Newsline UNICEF Pakistan  |
