Pakistan

Humanitarian aid after the flood catastrophe in Pakistan

In August 2010, intense monsoon rains in Pakistan had dramatic consequences: Intense rainfall that lasted several weeks led to floods that put four provinces under water. In the North, spring tide like waves destroyed large parts of the infrastructure, houses and cultivated areas. In the South villages and fields were under water for months, and therefore a return of the affected people into their homes and the cultivation of the harvest were impossible until the beginning of August 2011.

(see here for Debora Neumanns impressions on site)

This flood destroyed more than 1.8m houses and 74% of the cultivated areas as well as livestock worth 5.1 billion USD. So far more than 20m people have been affected by the flood in 2010.

Emergency shelters for families

In August 2010, Solidar Switzerland distributed relief goods in the North of Pakistan, consisting mainly of tools and materials to clear the houses and materials to build emergency shelters. More than 2000 of the most affected families were given an opportunity to clear the mud out of their houses, save what was left of material, furniture and valuables and build an emergency shelter for themselves. Following the distribution, Solidar Switzerland constructed 800 temporary shelters for the most affected people including families with kids, sick and old people.

Longterm assistance

Since March 2011, Solidar Switzerland and the local partner organisation ‘Labour Education Foundation’ (LEF) assist the affected people with reconstruction and training projects, which aim to get local artisans trained as to how to build flood resistant buildings. With the building of 700 houses for widows, sick and handicapped people they can implement the methods. Sanitation facilities are re-built and they are shown the proper use of it.

Generous support

Solidar Switzerland is grateful for the generous support that allows us to support the flood affected population in Pakistan with the re-construction of their livelihood and to develop methods that protects them better in case of a new flood.

Solidar Switzerland works in Pakistan with partners of the Solidar-Network.
 

Debora Neumann is Head of Humanitarian Aid of Solidar Switzerland.