Oxfam provides clean water in flood-hit Pakistan

Published: 2nd August 2010

Oxfam launches a rapid relief effort to reach almost 400,000 people with clean water, sanitation kits and hygiene supplies.

The international agency is trucking water and installing tanks to help prevent the spread of water-borne diseases amongst the estimated 1 million people affected.

Oxfam's Pakistan Director Neva Khan said:

"This is the worst flooding in living memory and it's likely to get worse as rivers and dams reach dangerous levels. Whole villages have been swept away and villages south of the devastated area in Sindh may be hit in the coming days.

"Huge swathes of the country are under an ocean of contaminated water. The risk of water-borne disease is high if we do not act fast. We are going to be providing hundreds of thousands of people with clean water and building emergency toilets. We are moving fast with supplies we had ready for such an emergency in-country."

Oxfam is appealing for US$6 million to help people get through the immediate days and weeks and to boost recovery over the long-term. The agency is also planning to provide hygiene kits to help people who have lost everything in the floods, as well cooked food and cash for work.

Khan said: "Our staff and partners have years of experience providing relief in the most difficult emergencies and we are already there working round the clock to reach those cut off from help."

Donate

Please donate now. These Oxfam affiliates are running direct appeals for the recent Pakistan floods:

Alternatively, you can also make a donation to the general emergency fund of your nearest national Oxfam affiliate. Your money will be used to fund our emergency work worldwide, which includes responding in countries such as Pakistan.

 

This is the worst flooding in living memory and it's likely to get worse as rivers and dams reach dangerous levels. Whole villages have been swept away...
Neva Khan
Oxfam's Pakistan Director

Notes to editors

Photos from Pakistan are available on request.
Oxfam staff are available for interview on the ground in the affected area.

  • £12 ($20) will buy one family hygiene kit (soap, washing powder, sanitary cloths, towels, oral rehydration salts, nail cutter/com
  • £14 ($23) will buy one family household kit (plastic bucket, water cooler, floor mats, waste bin, shawls, water purification)
  • £46 ($75) will buy tools for clearing up (shovel, pick axe, bucket, broom, wheel barrow)

Oxfam has been working in Pakistan since 1973. We support local partners and work with government authorities to improve the livelihoods of those living in poverty, and provide humanitarian assistance to those affected by disasters and conflict.

 

Contact information

Louis Belanger, Oxfam International Media Officer + 1 917 224 0834

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