October 14, 2010
WaterAid continues to help over 51,000 people affected by floods in Pakistan
Two months after the floods in Pakistan began, WaterAid and its partners continue to help over 51,000 displaced people.
Together, we are providing clean drinking water, sanitation and hygiene services to affected communities in Kyber Pakhtunkwa, Punjab and Sindh provinces.
The floods have only just started to recede in parts of the southern Sindh province, where families were marooned on small islands with their livestock. Malaria, scabies and waterborne diseases, such as diarrhea and cholera, are major threats to people’s health.
We’re working hard to provide clean water because the people who are
sheltering on nearby embankments have no option other than to drink
flood water
Bakt Brahmani, Indus Resource Centre
The Indus Resource Centre, WaterAid’s partner in Sindh, is helping 2,800 displaced families, some of whom are still living in flood relief camps. So far, they have provided three hand pumps, 280 latrines and 108,000 water purification tablets.
Bakt Brahmani from IRC says: “We’re working hard to provide clean water because the people who are sheltering on nearby embankments have no option other than to drink flood water.”
Across the flood-affected areas in the three provinces, WaterAid and its partners have provided:
- 280 simple latrines
- 278,000 water purification tablets
- 3,000 oral rehydration sachets
- Hygiene kits, containing clean water, soap, towels, toothbrushes, toothpaste, sanitary cloths and combs for 7,300 families.
- 144 hygiene education sessions
- 20 water tankers containing 10,00 gallons of clean water in Kyber Pakhtunka
Rozeena Memon WATSAN promoter has visited the camps to see the impact of WaterAid’s work. She explains: “The latrines have made a big difference to communities, as people were defecating in the open air, which was obviously creating a health hazard. They have big covers around them, so this has been very important for women and girls, especially.”
Therese Mahon, Regional Programme Officer for Asia, said: “We are in close contact with our staff and partners in Pakistan and they are continuously assessing what contribution we can usefully make to best help the people affected by the floods."
“We are still providing relief care, but our program team and partners are now starting to address the rehabilitation needs for those who are returning home.”
In the next few weeks, partners will be rehabilitating 20 water sources in Di Khan and three contaminated water points in Noshwera.
ENDS - For media inquiries about WaterAid's work in Pakistan please call Jonathan Rich on +1 347 262 9115 or contact him by email