Emergency Assistance For Storm Affectees in Sindh & Balochistan
In June 2007, a tropical cyclone, ‘Yemyin’ struck Sindh and southern Balochistan provinces in Pakistan. Torrential rains, flooding and heavy winds followed in its wake, causing wide scale damage to roads, communication links, water systems, crops and houses. According to government reports 420 people lost their lives, 2.5 million people were displaced and 6,449 villages were affected. During the course of the relief phase, 26 camps were set up across Sindh and Balochistan which hosted close to 71,596 numbers of people.
CWS –P/A was one of the first humanitarian agencies to provide relief to the affectees. Food packages and plastic sheets were distributed in Thatta, Sindh and Turbat, Balochistan.
‘Emergency Assistance for Storm Affectees in Thatta’ was launched in September 2007, with financial support from Action by Churches Together (ACT). The project aims to rehabilitate water sources, improve sanitary conditions and promote good hygiene practices in the target areas of Kati Bandar and Karo Chan of Thatta district. An estimated 50,000 individuals will benefit from the project. To achieve this 200 hand pumps are being installed and 2,000 jerry cans along with 1,000 hygiene kits are being distributed. Moreover, 20 health and hygiene session are being conducted with community. The project will end in February 2008.
Elsewhere in Balochistan, kareez (underground water supply system) have been badly affected due to the rains and flooding. Wells have been contaminated and damaged.
To address the most pressing water and hygiene needs of the population in Kech District, we aim to provide a long-term water source through the installation of hand pumps and the repair of 22 kareez, helping 50,000 people. The project is supported by World Vision International.
Moreover 2,000 households will be given jerry cans for storing safe drinking water and an additional 2,000 households will benefit by receiving hygiene kits and hygiene awareness sessions through this project. This project will end in February, 2008.
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