Pakistan Floods
Pakistan has been hit by the worst floods in the last 80 years. The flood is continuing and it will be some
time before proper estimates of the full scale of destruction are known. However it is already clear that
the scale of destruction is huge and unprecedented. Although, fortunately, immediate deaths are small
but the destruction of homes, agricultural produce and infrastructure is massive. Approximately 15
million people have been displaced and 6 million of these require immediate help according to the UN
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
The floods have severely affected all of the provinces of the country and the magnitude of the
devastation dwarfs other recent natural disasters. The millions who have been displaced were living at
or below the poverty line and whatever little possessions and assets they had have been washed away,
and their crops destroyed by the flood. The public infrastructure in the region - including access roads
and bridges - has been badly damaged or has collapsed. There is a desperate need for temporary
shelter, clean drinking water and toilets to avert a public health catastrophe. People also need basic
goods, food and essential medical care.
In a recent statement appealing for more aid to Pakistan, UN humanitarian chief John Holmes said:
“While the death toll may be much lower than in some major disasters, taking together the vast
geographical area affected, the numbers of people requiring assistance and the access difficulties
currently affecting operations in many parts of the country, it is clear that this disaster is one of the most
challenging that any country has faced in recent years." The number of people affected is more than the
tsunami, Haiti and Pakistan earthquakes put together.
With the background of being the front line state in the war on terror and the global economic meltdown,
Pakistan and its economy were already struggling to get back to a path of normalcy and growth. The
floods are now testing the full resolve of the people and government of Pakistan. It is important to
understand that the floods will require a long term response and engagement, after helping with survival;
we will need funds and resources for rehabilitation.
Visit to districts Shangla and Battagram in Swat, 13 August, 2010
The first thing that hits you is the sheer beauty of the place and the incredibly clear air. Then you see the
destruction and the resolve of the local people and communities to help themselves.
Between Mansheera and Besham
Fruit Orchards destroyed by the floods near Besham
Ali Jameel and Farrukh Khan spent a day with the Omar Asghar Khan Development Foundation
(OAKDF) in the districts of Shangla and Battagram in Swat, reviewing and helping with the relief work
there. This area is about 7 hours drive from Islamabad.
The flood water in this area has generally receded but has caused large scale destruction of
infrastructure; further isolating communities in what were already some of the more inaccessible parts of
Pakistan. We went to the village of Besham in district Shangla, where the only bridge connecting
Shangla and Battagram has been washed away, see attached video and photographs.
Remnants of the bridge in Besham that connected Districts Shangla and
Battagram where the chairlift is being installed
This has isolated approximately 50 to 60 thousand people from the main roads and markets. There is
now a hand pulled, precariously balanced chair lift that is the only way for these people to cross the
river, see attached photo. YPO is helping to install a motorized, larger chairlift on an emergency basis
and helping to construct two suspension bridges. The people have lost most of their belongings and are
fast running out of life essentials.
Temporary hand operated chairlift being used
Foundation being made for the new motorized chairlift
We saw no other NGOs or government relief work taking place in this area. We met with the local
community leaders who explained how they are trying to help them selves and what assistance they
need. See the hand drawn map. All the bridges in the entire area have been washed away, as well as
the road running parallel to the river. They need more chairlifts and temporary bridges. They are trying
to make a pedestrian path along the river where the old road was, so that the communities can
reconnect to the major roads and markets. A journey that used to take 30 minutes now takes any where
upwards of 8 hours over the hills. They were also very appreciative of the fact that people from as far
away as Karachi were thinking of them and willing to help. OAKDF knows these areas well and is
respected by the local communities; hence it is well positioned to help with the long term rehabilitation
work.
Hand drawn map showing all the bridges and road along the river that has
been destroyed
Ypoers Ali Jameel and Farrukh Khan meeting with the local community in
Besham
Visit to Charsadda and Nowshehra, 14 August, 2010
Next day we visited Charsadda and Nowshehra. Both the towns were badly hit by the floods, particularly
Nowshehra, being on the river bank. The floods came with out warning and the water rose above roof
tops of the houses. Most houses are still standing but are inhabitable. A large number of people have
been displaced and need food and medicines till they are able to reconstruct and return to their homes.
The communities are very proactive and involved but need support to get back on their feet.
Destruction in Charsadda and Nowshehra. The flood water had reached the
rooftops.
YPO is working with OAKDF to provide emergency rations. 100 packs of the following were distributed
in Charsadda and Nowshehra.
15-Day Package of Food and Essential Non-Food Items (for a family of seven)
FOOD & ESSENTIAL NON-FOOD ITEMS
Food items
Specifications
Flour
Rice
Lentils
Spices & other essentials
Super Atta or equivalent
Ari 9 or equivalent
Channa – Unpacked
Moong – Unpacked
Salt –National or equivalent
Red Chillie Powder-National or equivalent
Haldi
Garam Masala-National or equivalent
Garlic Powder
Onions
Potatoes
Cooking Oil
Soya Supreme or equivalent
Tea
Lipton or equivalent
Milk
Everyday or equivalent
Sugar
Unpacked
Biscuits
Gluco or equivalent
Toffees
Mitchells or equivalent
Other consumables
Matchbox
Hockey or equivalent
Detergent
Bonus or equivalent
Dish washing soap
Max Longbar or equivalent
Health & Personal Hygiene
ORS
Wilson or equivalent
Water purification tablets
Aquafresh
Bath soap
Lux (140 gms) or equivalent
Tooth powder
Dentonic
Sanitary pads
Always (large size) or equivalent
Mospel
Abbott or equivalent
Sub-total
Packing, transport and distribution
Total
Quantity
Unit
20
8
1
1
1
100
50
50
50
2
2.5
2.5
0.5
1
5
2
100
Kg
Kg
Kg
Kg
Kg
Gram
Gram
Gram
Gram
Kg
Kg
Ltr
Kg
Kg
Kg
Box
Toffees
Estimated
Cost (Rs.)
610
352
60
100
16
40
28
44
40
53
55
385
286
430
385
172
35
1
1
250
Packet
Kg
Gram
11
66
22
1
1
4
90
1
45
Box
Box
Bars
Gram
Packet
Ml
165
45
132
22
121
49
3,784
366
4150
OAKDF had made proper lists of affected families and the distribution was disciplined and well
organized. Again we saw no evidence of any government help, which was further corroborated by the
people we spoke with. However other NGOs are active in this more accessible area.
Organized distribution of food and other items in Charsadda and Nowshehra