Act for Peace, the international aid agency of the National Council of Churches in Australia, is asking the Australian public to support the response as a matter of urgency.
Marvin Parvez, Regional Direct of Act for Peace’s Pakistan partner said, “We are running out of time. The people of Pakistan are being forced further into chronic poverty. Cholera and dysentery are spreading, with further rainfall predicted this week. The massive food, health, shelter, water, education and livelihood needs are continuing to increase.”
Mr Alistair Gee, Executive Director of Act for Peace said, “At 20 million, the number of flood victims requiring humanitarian assistance is almost the same as Australia’s population. We are hoping each Australian will realise that someone just like them needs help.
“The need is not just immediate as the long-term effects of the floods are massive. The destruction to farming communities alone – now with billions of dollars of lost crops – combined with the damage to road, health, education, communication, and community infrastructure across vast stretches of the country is a threat to the core of the entire nation.
“An inadequate response also risks the further opening of space for militant groups who wish to extend their influence within Pakistan’s fragile democracy”, said Mr Gee.
Act for Peace’s partners in the ACT Alliance have rushed emergency food and medical assistance to affected communities. They are currently deploying more than 1,600 tons of food aid to 70,000 people in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkwha and Balochistan. Mobile and fixed health teams have already provided care to thousands in flood-affected areas.
Our partners are leading the way on being accountable to affected communities, providing training for other agencies on accountability and enhancing the dignity of the people affected by this tragedy.
To give to Act for Peace’s Pakistan Floods Appeal go to www.actforpeace.org.au or phone 1800 025 101
For more information or to arrange interviews with project workers on the ground:
contact Edwyn Shiell, 0458 303 515, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.