10 September 2010

A Salvation Army team distributes household goods to families from a village that was totally destroyed. One hundred families were displaced from this village alone

THE Salvation Army is continuing its work in the flood-hit regions of Pakistan, where it is estimated that 20 million people have been affected by the disaster – more than 10 per cent of the population. The flooding began in the north-west of the country but continues to move to the south, with people now having to leave their homes in Sindh province. Five weeks after the downpour that began this crisis, water continues to impact on new areas, families and communities.

Salvation Army relief teams are working in three provincial areas – Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The teams continue to distribute household goods including bedding and cooking utensils. For most families these goods are the first they have received and they are very grateful for the help. Ministers from the Pakistan federal and local government have offered their thanks for the help given to their communities.

Tents have been purchased and are ready for distribution in the South Punjab area. This weekend is the end of the Muslim festival of Ramadan and the distribution will occur within the next few days as the celebration of this festival ends. Preparations are under way for the distribution of nearly 5,000 tents to be given to families in the south of the country.

So far almost 2,000 families have received goods from Salvation Army teams and in the coming weeks many more will be helped. The relief effort is quickening pace as the needed supplies are becoming more available. Plans are in place to help more than 16,000 families in the next month.

International Emergency Services worker Major Drew Ruthven (International Headquarters) reports from Pakistan: 'I have met so many who have been impacted by these floods. One man told me that he and his son had to climb onto the roof of their house and remained there for two days without food or water. He smiled as he then went on to say they had some of the family cows on the roof so they milked the cows and that is how they kept the hunger away! One woman told that she does not know how they will rebuild their house. Her husband is in jail for committing murder and she and her four children don’t know what to do.'

Every family has a story. They are happy to tell what happened but they also are watching and waiting to see how the government and humanitarian groups now in the country are going to help.

The Salvation Army is a part of this response and Major Ruthven concludes: 'It is good to see the work done here by the local Salvation Army. Many people have been helped but so many more need help.'

 

 

Local leaders discuss their needs with Captain Asif of the Salvation Army team. This village is on the edge of the city of Peshawar

Major Drew Ruthven of International Emergency Services (with back to camera) hears the story of the flood and the impact on one woman's family. The family house was under 16 feet (5 metres) of water

 

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