Taking Shelter on a River Bank

an update on Pakistan floods and response

Since mid-June, 30 million people in Pakistan (about 15% of the total population) have been directly affected by the monsoon rains and flooding. The country has received three times the annual rainfall compared to the last 30 years, and some villages as much as five times more. The current floods are forcing comparisons to 2010, Pakistan’s worst recorded flood, which brought more than 2000 casualties and one-fifth of the nation was underwater. ​

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Estimates from the national emergency management say that 10 million people are homeless; one million houses have completely washed away; 800,000 livestock have died; more than 200 bridges have collapsed; and more than 3000 miles of roads have been destroyed. One assessor said that the floods have caused an earthquake-like destruction. 
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Week of Compassion is in conversation with partners in Pakistan and the surrounding region, engaged in immediate needs assessment, gathering resources and support, and preparing responses now and for the long term. 

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​With narrow streets and constant flooding, families are using any dry ground they can find, taking temporary shelter on river banks, often the only ‘high’ point in the area. As villages have washed away and whole communities are entirely displaced, government services, rescue, and aid delivery are complicated by inaccessible roads and bridges, and a pre-existing lack of community networks.

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​Communities need clean drinking water, food, sanitation and emergency medical aid, and shelter. People will also need support restoring their land, crops, and livelihood. As always, the poorest and most vulnerable are even more affected, and the already huge number of people affected is expected to increase as those yet unreachable can finally be accounted for. 

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​Plans are being made for safe drinking water and emergency shelter kits, cash assistance for food and medical needs, hygiene and health care resources, and long-term education and agriculture rehabilitation assistance. Week of Compassion will continue to work with our partners to respond and to prepare for long-term recovery.

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Gifts to Week of Compassion designated ‘international emergency response’ 
will go 100% to support these efforts.