Severe floods in Pakistan affect over 400,000 people
Pakistan / 03.08.10
Recent heavy rainfall in Pakistan’s north-western region has directly affected 400,000 people and caused widespread destruction to houses and infrastructure. Médecins Sans Frontières is currently assessing the situation in order to tailor its response to this emergency.
Médecins Sans Frontières is carrying out exploratory missions in Swat, Lower Dir, Dargai and Peshawar districts to assess the damage and the subsequent needs of the affected populations in these areas.
An exploratory mission in the town of Bakthirabad in Sibi district in the province of Baluchistan is already complete and the team will return on Sunday to distribute hygiene kits, plastic sheeting and ready-to-use food items.
“There is widespread destruction on the ground, and we still need to get a clearer picture of where Médecins Sans Frontières is needed the most”, says Benoit De Gryse, Head of Mission in Pakistan. “What complicates matters is that destruction is patchy, and there are pockets of people that are very hard to reach due to the flooding.”
Médecins Sans Frontières’ project in the town of Timurgara, Lower Dir is inaccessible from all areas, as all bridges providing access to the area have been destroyed. Médecins Sans Frontières is continuing its activities in Timurgara, and received and treated 10 trauma cases in the Médecins Sans Frontières supported emergency room in the town hospital. Médecins Sans Frontières is currently focusing on providing safe drinking water to the hospital.
Médecins Sans Frontières is also erecting 3 temporary cholera treatment centres in the Swat, Lower Dir and Dargai districts. Médecins Sans Frontières’ cholera treatment centre in the Hangu district is continuing its activities.
“These are the worst floods in these areas for generations. A lot of houses are built out of mud, which makes them more vulnerable to damage. Many people are unable to reach health structures, due to areas being cut off by the water. For those who have been affected, it is of vital importance to attend to immediate basic needs such as sanitation and hygiene.”
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