What it Looks Like Right Now

On July 29th, 2010 a massive flood hit Pakistan.

PEOPLE AFFECTED:
According to the latest Government estimates, the number of people directly affected by the floods are 15.4 million, and the number continues to rise. This is more than the number of people affected by the 2005 South Asia tsunami, the 2005 South Asia earthquake and the 2010 Haiti earthquake combined. As you know, the Pakistani government does not have the capacity to cope with all these people.

DEATHS AND INJURED:
The official death toll has risen to 1,402, with 2,024 people reported as injured.

LIVE STOCK & POULTRY:
Over 200,000 livestock have been lost, in addition to up to 100% poultry losses in some districts.

DAMAGED HOUSES:
Over 893,662 houses are now reported to have been either damaged or destroyed.
This is twice the number of those destroyed in Haiti.

DAMAGED SCHOOLS:
5,457 schools have been damaged or destroyed across affected areas, of which 4,419 are in Punjab and Sindh. 4,911 schools have been converted into IDP shelters.

DAMAGED HOSPITALS:
Out of 1,167 health facilities, 189 health facilities have either been damaged or destroyed. There is an urgent need to restore health facilities damaged or destroyed by the floods.

Healthcare Needs in Flood affected areas:
- Skin diseases (113,045 cases recorded through medical consultations),
- Acute watery diarrhea (86,671 cases)
- Respiratory tract infection (83,050 cases)
Up to 3.5 million children are at risk from water-borne diseases

CURRENT MEDICAL RESPONSE:
Essential drugs and medicines have been distributed to Ministry of Health and cluster partners, covering the needs of 1.8 million people. This includes 179 emergency health kits, 152 cholera kits, 700 vials of anti-snake venom and 1.8 million water purification tablets.

SHORTAGE OF FOOD:
50% of households reported having no food for an entire day.

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE:
International medical teams are now arriving in the country. Teams have arrived from:
      o Indonesia,
      o Sri Lanka
      o Jordan
      o Hungary
      o U.S.A.
      o Italy

PAKISTAN GOVERNMENT RESPONSE:
Over 60,000 troops are involved in flood relief operations trying to assist people. Six helicopters and 200 boats are supporting evacuations but that thousands are still trapped in flooded districts.

FINANCIAL NEEDS:
The United Nations has now estimated that Pakistan will need billions of dollars to recover from its worst floods in 80 years. The U.N. has just launched an appeal for $459 million in immediate aid. The World Bank said it had agreed to provide Pakistan with a loan of 900 million dollars. HOWEVER, the impact of the disaster on the economy is expected to be "huge" and billions will be needed to recover from this disaster.

As of 16 August, only 32% of funding requirements indicated in the Pakistan Initial Floods Emergency Response Plan (PIFERP) have been covered (US $148.1 million out of total requirements of US $459.7 million).

The United Nations has announced a further allocation of US $10million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), in addition to the US$16.3 million that the CERF has already contributed.

OUR IMMEDIATE FOCUS:  This is where your help comes in!
Our focus will be on the immediate humanitarian relief needs to keep people alive an give them the basic minimum to survive.

IMMEDIATE RELIEF SUPPLIES NEEDED:
    1. TENTS*
    2. MEDICATIONS*: Antibiotics, pain killer, bandages, wheelchairs, antivenin
    3. CLOTHES: For any age. Make sure they are in usable condition.
    4. SHOES: Any size. Make sure they are in usable condition.
    5. BLANKETS: Make sure they are in usable condition.
    6. CANNED FOOD: Must be halal and have long shelf life.
 *These items are most important items.

Every little bit helps. Act now. Don't wait. Time is running out.