Pakistan, floods kill over 1000 people: Red Cross appeal

By Cristiano Antonino On Sep 5, 2022

Floods in Pakistan: over a thousand people, including 348 children, have already lost their lives, more than a million homes have been severely damaged leaving millions of people displaced in grave danger and forcing some 500,000 people to live in emergency camps across the country

Then there is the inestimable damage to infrastructure, agriculture and livestock with bridges and roads rendered unusable, millions of acres of crops devastated and tens of thousands of livestock lost.

These are the staggering numbers caused by the landslides and floods due to the abnormal monsoon rains that have been hitting Pakistan in recent weeks, rainfall almost three times the average of the last 30 years

“We are heartbroken at the tragic loss of so many lives, the misery and the enormous hardship that these floods are causing to the people who are now trying to find shelter in the higher points.

We are doing all we can to get people to safety and provide relief to meet basic needs, but much more assistance is needed,” said Pakistani Red Crescent President Abrar ul Haq.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has launched a CHF 25 million emergency appeal, calling for global support to cope with the present emergency and its future consequences.

The Italian Red Cross, which has already been active in Pakistan for years with various projects, including courses in schools on disaster risk awareness and knowledge, as well as first aid, has decided to strengthen its commitment by participating in the Appeal and thus supporting the efforts of the Movement and its Pakistani sister organisation.

“I visited so many houses submerged by water and mud. Everything inside was destroyed, insects were everywhere. Some managed to get their loved ones and livestock to high ground, others were not so lucky,’ is the account of Alexander Matheou IFRC Director for Asia and the Pacific.

“Everyone we met told us they needed food and water to survive and a hand to clean and repair their homes,” he says.

“We are facing,” he continues, “monsoon rains almost three times higher than usual, another example of the devastating impact of climate change on some of the world’s poorest communities.

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Pakistan, the actions of the Pakistani Red Crescent

The Pakistan Red Crescent (PRCS), based in Islamabad, is well-established throughout the country, with seven provincial and 67 district offices and can count on more than 3,000 active volunteers, who, flanked by staff members and coordinated by the International Federation, are assisting 35,000 people in 15 districts in Sindh, Balochistan, KP and Punjab but are already working to expand the emergency response to other affected areas.

In addition, the PRCS has launched a communication campaign to give visibility to the humanitarian needs of the affected populations.

The contribution of the Italian Red Cross and the Federation’s emergency appeal

The Italian Red Cross has been active in Pakistan for some time through various projects, including courses in schools on disaster risk awareness and knowledge, support for a road safety and road mortality reduction programme, and a programme to promote youth civic engagement and volunteering, supporting the development of a plan to strengthen first aid capacities and launch a Commercial First Aid programme.

In response to the flood emergency, it is planning to contribute to the Emergency Appeal (EA) Pakistan, Asia Pacific | Monsoon Floods launched by the International Federation, which aims to bring support to more than 320,000 people in the four worst-affected provinces through a CHF 25 million fundraising effort. Thanks to this appeal, the scope of interventions will be extended to 30-35 districts.

The Pakistani Red Crescent is currently focusing its efforts on the most affected areas, drawing on the presence and capacity of its territorial committees.

However, the strategy is also looking to the future, integrating with the plans of the Government of Pakistan and the United Nations (UN), through proper coordination between all actors involved and also focusing on livelihood recovery and community resilience, over a 16-month period.