CWS situation report: Pakistan (Sindh) flooding
Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Heavy monsoon rains in Pakistan continue to cause widespread damage, particularly in the southern Sindh province. Some 5 million people in the province have been affected, with more than half of them living in the districts of Khairpur and Badin. In Sindh, some 700,000 homes have been damaged and more than 1.7 million acres of crops are affected. The death toll from the floods is approaching 200.

Situation:

Heavy monsoon rains in Pakistan continue to cause widespread damage, particularly in the southern Sindh province.  Some 5 million people in the province have been affected, with more than half of them living in the districts of Khairpur and Badin. In Sindh, some 700,000 homes have been damaged and more than 1.7 million acres of crops are affected. The death toll from the floods is approaching 200.

As of last week, approximately 131,410 people are residing in 1,484 temporary camps. The majority of these people lack access to shelter, food, medicines and clean drinking water. The pre-flood economic situation of affected communities worsens the chances of meeting the community members' basic needs.

With the loss of farm fields and livestock, families have lost their sources of income to buy food. Inadequate access to health facilities is increasing concern for waterborne diseases and nutrition deficiencies. The current situation also worsens food and drinking water shortages already prevalent in rural Sindh.

Response:

As part of a coordinated response by members of the ACT Alliance, Church World Service staff in Pakistan has sent tents and blankets that will be ready for distribution in the Thatta district of Sindh, on Wednesday. An initial round of food packages will also reach Thatta by the end of the week. A CWS-run basic health unit in Badin is providing emergency health services to the flood-affected population.

CWS plans to carry out its emergency response in four flood-affected districts: Badin, Thatta, Umerkot, and Mirpurkhas. CWS plans to provide food, non-food items, tents and mobile health services in all four districts based on needs assessments being conducted this week.

CWS plans to issue an appeal for this emergency shortly.

HOW TO HELP: Contributions to support CWS emergency response efforts may be made online, sent to your denomination, or to Church World Service, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN 46515.

  Church World Service is a member of the ACT Alliance, a global coalition of churches and agencies engaged in development, humanitarian assistance and advocacy.

Media Contact:
Lesley Crosson, 212-870-2676, lcrosson@churchworldservice.org
Jan Dragin, 781-925-1526, jdragin@gis.net