RPA is saddened by the daily reports of flooding that have plagued Pakistan since the last week of July. A staggering 14 million individuals have been directly impacted by the floods, exceeding the amount of individuals displaced by this year’s earthquake in Haiti, the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami and the 2005 Kashmir earthquake combined. The widespread poverty in the region means that Pakistan will require significant aid in order to recover from this natural disaster.
The flooded conditions in Pakistan have made it challenging for aid organizations to reach the areas where help is needed most. RPA will continue to monitor the situation closely as it develops. In the meantime, we recommend considering groups that have a history of working effectively in the region and work that is directly relevant to the needs of flood survivors, including providing rescue and medical services, shelter, clean water and food. The following are some initial recommendations to consider.
These organizations recommended below primarily concentrate on addressing immediate and basic needs, such as clean and safe drinking water; distribution of food; emergency medical services (via mobile clinics); mental health needs; hygiene supplies; provision of basic non-emergency items (such as clothes, soap, mosquito nets, blankets, etc.) and temporary shelter. These organizations have critical presence on-the-ground in the hardest hit areas of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province (KPK) and Baluchistan Province.
- Médecins Sans Frontières
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural or man-made disasters in more than 70 countries. Established in 1971, MSF is a private international association made up mainly of doctors and health sector workers.
- International Medical Corps
International Medical Corps is a global, humanitarian, nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through health care training and relief and development programs. Established in 1984 by volunteer doctors and nurses, International Medical Corps is a private, voluntary, nonpolitical, nonsectarian organization. They work in some 25 countries in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, including Iraq, Darfur, Somalia, and Afghanistan.
- Oxfam
Oxfam is an international confederation of 14 organizations working together in 99 countries and with partners and allies around the world to find lasting solutions to poverty and injustice. Established in 1995 by a group of independent non-governmental organizations, Oxfam works directly with communities and seek to influence the powerful to ensure that poor people can improve their lives and livelihoods and have a say in decisions that affect them.
- FOCUS Humanitarian Assistance (Aga Khan Development Network)
FOCUS is an international group of agencies that help people in need reduce their dependence on humanitarian aid and facilitates their transition to sustainable self-reliant, long-term development. FOCUS Humanitarian Assistance is the lead disaster response and preparedness implementing agency for the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of development agencies with mandates ranging from health and education to culture and microfinance. The AKDN agencies are also likely to get engaged in reconstruction and renewal efforts. 100% of contributions will go towards relief operations.