1340

 

Water-Survival boxes, dispatched.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pakistan Floods -  July 2010

 

Devastated Pakistan – Water-Survival Box update - 2010

The 2010 Pakistan floods began in late July 2010 following heavy monsoon rains in the four western regions of Pakistan and affected the Indus River basin. At one point, approximately one-fifth of Pakistan's total land area was underwater. According to Pakistani government data the floods directly affected about 20 million people, mostly by destruction of property, livelihood and infrastructure, with a death toll of close to 2,000.


The number of individuals affected by the flooding exceeds the combined total of individuals affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake and the 2010 Haiti earthquake 
Monsoon rains continued into August and were described as the worst in this area in the last 80 years. The Pakistan Meteorological Department reported that over 200 mm (7.88 inches) of rain fell over a 24-hour period in a number of places in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab.

 

 

A record-breaking 274 mm (10.7 inches) of rain fell in Peshawar during 24 hours; the previous record was 187 mm (7.36 inches) of rain in April 2009. As of 30 July, 500,000 or more people had been displaced from their homes and by mid-August the number had increased to nearly 20 million affected. By mid-September, according to the governmental Federal Flood Commission (FFC), the floods had caused the deaths of at least 1,781 people, while 2,966 people had received injuries, and more than 1.89 million homes were destroyed.

 

Early contact was made with Humanity First (a UK based International aid organisation) who confirmed they had a team based in Islamabad that would be working directly with the Pakistan Government and designated NGO to arrange distribution of incoming aid. We had worked successfully with Humanity First in sending Water-Survival Boxes to Bangladesh in 2007

The first consignment of Standard WSBs was sent on 7 August and successive consignments followed at weekly and then fortnightly intervals through August, September and October. In total 1,340 WSBs were sent and distributed. The majority were standard WSBs for families that had lost their homes and lacked access to clean water. However, as the needs assessment changed, the last 500 boxes were in multi-pack format at the request of Humanity First staff. On arrival the pack of five boxes was broken down and, in addition to the water purification kit, each box was used to convey vital food and medical supplies to families that were now beginning to return to their former homes.

 



 WorldWaterWorks Limited is a Registered Charity sponsored by the Rotary Club of Chelwood Bridge. For more information see www.worldwaterworks.org or call 01761-409115.