The Pakistan Humanitarian Forum (PHF) urges the international community to play its part in meeting the immediate needs of millions of Pakistanis, and warns that without long-term funding, rebuilding this devastated country will prove virtually impossible.
Against the backdrop of UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon's visit to devastated areas of Pakistan, international aid agency Oxfam today says that the visit is welcome as the humanitarian community struggles to cope with limited funds and a rapidly escalating crisis.
Continuous heavy rain has caused problems including flooding and landslides in at least 12 provinces in China since June, affecting 200 million people. Oxfam has been working in Guizhou and Yunnan in recent weeks, bringing badly needed humanitarian relief.
The floods that have engulfed Pakistan over the last week are a mega disaster and the world needs to mount a mega response to ensure the millions affected get the help they need, international aid agency Oxfam said today as it called for a “gear shift” in the response to the crisis.
Local people are working around the clock to rescue families cut off by rising flood waters. Using wooden fishing boats, a navy of local fishermen known as "Malah" and volunteers are working with local groups, Oxfam, and the Pakistani authorities to evacuate more than 50,000 people.
People in the Swat Valley in Northern Pakistan hit by the catastrophic floods were only just recovering from the conflict that forced them from their homes last year, said Neva Khan, Oxfam’s Country Director in Pakistan.
Oxfam launches a rapid relief effort to reach almost 400,000 people with clean water, sanitation kits and hygiene supplies. We're trucking water and installing tanks to help prevent the spread of water-borne diseases amongst the estimated 1 million people affected.