Kate Akhtar, CARE's emergency response manager.Kate Akhtar, CARE's emergency response manager reports from Pakistan and gives her own account of her experiences since she arrived.
I arrived in Pakistan one week ago but it feels a lot longer than that. So much has changed over these 7 days.The numbers of people affected by these floods, the worst floods since records began here in Pakistan, continue to rise as the monsoon progresses. Here in Islamabad it has rained a few times and when it comes, it is really heavy rain.
Not the kind of rain we usually experience in the UK. None of your UK “drizzle”. The shelters described by colleagues returning from the flood affected areas as flimsy sheets held only by wooden poles, would not protect you from this kind of rain. Government estimates of those affected have now reached over 20 million.
This number to me is unimaginable. The geographical area now affected by the floods is bigger than the whole of the United Kingdom. The needs of the affected population are colossal with many displaced, whole areas cut off by the floods which have destroyed major roads and bridges and rains continuing to fall adding to the rising tides of Pakistan’s major rivers. There is an urgent need for food, water, healthcare and shelter.
Stagnant water in 40 degree heat and humidity provides the perfect breeding ground for water borne diseases so health is a major issue for those at risk. CARE is supporting mobile health camps through our partners in Khyber Pakhtoon Kwa (KPK) and Sindh Provinces providing access to basic medicines and first aid care.
We have emptied all of our warehouses of the prepositioned stocks CARE maintains for emergencies such as this. These included stocks of basic items such as tents, clothing, kitchen sets and hygiene kits which as of today have all been distributed in the worst affected areas of Nowshera and Charsadda.
More will be distributed in Punjab and Sindh over the coming days. I feel privileged to work for CARE at times like these. The challenges here are enormous but aid is getting through to those who need it. Undoubtedly there is much more to do and international organisations, including CARE International, are committed to doing so.
Through the fasting month of Ramadan our colleagues continue to work around the clock to ensure aid reaches those in need.
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