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Update on Church World Service response to Pakistan flooding

In Gadap, Pakistan, 250 severely affected families received CWS emergency supplies earlier this week, as emergency response to the flooding continues. Photo: CWS Pakistan/Afghanistan

July 3, 2007

Karachi, Pakistan -- Storms and excessive rainfall in the Punjab, Swat, Balochistan, and Sindh areas of Pakistan, have left more than 300 dead across the country, perhaps as many as one million people homeless, crops and livestock inundated, and a high threat of disease from animal carcasses floating in the stagnant waters.

One of the worst hit areas is the town of Gadap, near Karachi, where 1,000 homes have been either severely damaged or completely destroyed. Many livestock are missing and 60 percent of the poultry farms--the main sources of employment for the villagers--have been destroyed.

At the moment Church World Service is the only agency currently operating in the area, providing food relief, temporary shelter, or potable water.

Church World Service has a long history of work in the southern districts of Pakistan, and in previous years has been instrumental in providing response and relief to those areas regularly hit by floods and severe weather.

On Monday, July 2, Church World Service Pakistan/Afghanistan distributed relief item in Gadap to 250 families. Priority was given to households completely destroyed, headed by widows or disabled, and families who have suffered fatalities. About 165 families received food packages on Monday, and 85 more received them on Tuesday. The food packages contain items such as rice, lentils, cooking oil, and sugar, and are meant to provide a month's ration for a family of 8 to 10 members. On Wednesday, 250 plastic sheets will be distributed for temporary shelter, and 70 plastic sheets to protect drinking water sources in the area from further contamination.

Hazri, a widow from village Bohri in Gadap, has three young children. Her house has been severely damaged by the storms and heavy rains. Because they have no relatives to accommodate them and no other place to live, they are living in the open. Although she says the food package has helped, she worries about reconstructing her house. And more bad weather has been forecast for the next few days.

Elsewhere, 80-year-old Muhammad Musa is living in the ruins of his house with his family, as the roof and walls literally caved in from the storms. He is grateful for the food package though, "For the last three days we have had no food. This at least will now save us from total starvation."

Media Contact:
Lesley Crosson, CWS/New York, 212-870-2676;
Jan Dragin, 781-925-1526;

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