How you’ve helped the people of Pakistan

28 August 2011

Flood damage in Balakot, Pakistan

ACT/CWS-PA, Ghulam Mustafa

It’s now just over one year since the monsoon rains in Pakistan turned into devastating floods, one of the worst natural disasters in history. More than one-fifth of the country was under water, resulting in huge loss of life and property.

Y Care International supported flood-affected families when the disaster struck, and we continue to help now as they rebuild their lives.

Y Care International supporters responded generously to our appeal last summer, donating more than £320,000 to help Pakistan and its people recover. We’re proud that, thanks to these contributions from our supporters, we and our partners have been able to assist more than 98,000 households – that’s more than 680,000 people! Donations were channelled through Church World Service in Pakistan, our ACT Alliance partner on the ground.

So what has been done?

Initial emergency aid included supplying over 2,010 tents and nearly 4,000 tonnes of food to the people of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Balochistan and Punjab areas of Pakistan, as well as providing shelter, water and medical assistance. For long-term recovery, Church World Service (CWS), with support from Y Care International and ACT Alliance donors, are proud to have supplied:

• 5,100 agricultural vouchers so that farmers can now buy seeds, tools and fertiliser
• 300 cows so farmers can re-stock their herds
• 300 cash grants for small businesses to be set up again
• 300 latrines – essential for good health and hygiene
• 13 static and 5 mobile health units provide vital care to people at risk
• 2 construction trade training centres providing training courses for young people to enable them to become welders, masons, plumber, electricians or carpenters and rebuild their communities.

Marvin Parvez, of CWS, said: “The support that came from Y Care International supporters meant we were in the top ten organisations who were able to assist a large number of communities across Pakistan. All of Pakistan – 20 million people’s lives were devastated. So that help was substantial and very timely.”

ACT/CWS-PA

“Those with money survive as they can go to private hospitals and doctors, but where do we go because we have lost everything?” said Dilshad Sultan in September last year. She is a mother of five children living in Mohandari in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – one of the worst affected areas. Dilshad and her family now live in temporary accommodation across the street from one of the CWS mobile health units so her children get any assistance they need. Strong, brick houses are being built for people like Dilshad. Aid partners will work with communities prone to flooding and help them identify and prepare for risks specific to their area.