Severe floods have killed over 1,000 people in Pakistan's vulnerable Swat Valley. Nearly one million men, women and children have been affected; many families are now homeless, stranded without water and medical care. In response, AmeriCares is mounting disaster relief efforts; sending lifesaving, emergency medical aid to the region. A powerful monsoon brought torrential flooding to the devastated northwest region of Pakistan. Over a foot of rain fell in 36 hours, causing flash floods and overflowing river banks. Officials worry forecasted rains in the coming days could put thousands more families at risk and will hamper relief efforts.
Local communities in the Swat Valley are still recovering from last year's armed conflict between the Pakistani Army and Taliban militants.
"Washed out bridges, hastily rebuilt during the aftermath of the Taliban conflict, have left large areas cut off from emergency relief," reports Christoph Gorder, AmeriCares senior vice president of global programs. "Emergency medical aid is needed now in order to help avert a public health catastrophe."
Over two million innocent civilians were forced to flee during last year's conflict. Many families returned to remnants of rubble where their homes once stood, leaving them with little protection against the fierce floods.
AmeriCares emergency relief experts are working with local partners to deliver assistance to flood-affected communities. Since 1990, AmeriCares has delivered 84 shipments valued at more than $57 million in assistance to Pakistan including relief medicines, medical supplies, equipment, transitional field hospitals and nutritional support.
