Flooding in Pakistan, Handicap International takes action

Present in Pakistan since 2005, Handicap International is organizing a rapid response to aid victims of the flooding currently ravaging parts of the country's northwestern region. The organization has released $135,350 in funds and it has set up a system to meet the basic needs of victims as quickly as possible.

Present in Pakistan since 2005, Handicap International is organizing a rapid response to aid victims of the flooding currently ravaging parts of the country's northwestern region. The organization has released $135,350 in funds and it has set up a system to meet the basic needs of victims as quickly as possible.

For the last three days, the region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan has been hit hard by the most serious flooding seen in the country since 1929. More than 3 million people have been affected by the disaster, which has left more than 1,500 people dead. Many areas have witnessed a total breakdown in communications. The three most severely affected districts are Charsadda, Nowshera and Swat, and many areas are cut off from supplies of humanitarian aid.

Present in the country since the earthquake of 2005, Handicap International operates several projects and it has already launched two large-scale emergency operations, most recently in 2009 when 3 million people fled fighting in the Swat Valley. The organization was already present in the regions affected by the flooding.

Handicap International's Emergency Response Department has asked its team in Pakistan to organize an emergency response and to coordinate its efforts with other humanitarian aid operators in the field. The scope of the emergency response will be based on the outcome of an assessment mission currently underway. On Monday, the organization released $135,350 in funds to ensure action is taken immediately. Priority will be given to providing access to water, meeting basic needs (blankets, shelters, etc.), and providing health care.

Handicap International's field team currently consists of some 150 people, including seven expatriate staff members: a physiotherapist, a psychosocial project officer, the manager of the Peshawar base, an administrator, a logistician, a safety adviser and a head of mission. The team provides health care to vulnerable people affected by conflict, technical mobility aids, psychosocial services and packs to meet their basic needs. In addition, Handicap International improves and builds new health care facilities and ensures they are accessible to vulnerable people. Lastly, the organization raises awareness among people who are at risk from explosive devices. It is currently doing everything possible to provide relief to flood victims and to meet their most pressing needs.