Sections:
South Asia Floods: UK offers help
25 July 2007
Severe storms and a cyclone in south Asia have led to extensive flooding
which has affected several million people across the region and led to over 600
lives being lost.
Reports put the death toll at more than 300 in India, 296 in Pakistan and 63
in Afghanistan. In Pakistan there are estimates that 377,000 have been made
homeless and 2.5 million people affected in total. Relief operations are under way
in all three countries. The
International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC)
have launched an appeal, and the
UN
launched a flash appeal on the 18th July.
DFID has committed up to £2.2 million to help with the flood relief in Pakistan. The two DFID humanitarian experts who were sent to help make a detailed assessment of the needs of the flood affected communities have now returned to the UK. Affected governments have not specifically requested help.
What will the money be used for?
The funding offered by DFID will be used for:
- an immediate contribution to the Government of Pakistan’s Relief Fund;
- a contribution of £500,000 to the IFRC;
- additional specialist advisers and support, if needed and depending on how the situation develops; and funding contingency measures if the situation deteriorates.
What is the DFID team doing?
DFID has sent a team of two humanitarian specialists to make a further detailed assessment and to work with the Pakistani authorities, the UN, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, other donors and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
DFID is also supporting two members of a UN humanitarian response team and an expert to help the Red Cross to coordinate shelter. DFID has also provided two experts to the UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination Team.
Situation report
Pakistan
A major storm in Karachi on 23 June knocked out electricity for several days
and destroyed homes. On 26 June Cyclone Yemyn passed through Balochistan
Province and heavy rains fell in Sindh and North West Frontier Province. Rains
breached much of the flood protection network of dams, irrigation canals and
river banks.
This has resulted in major flooding which the Government estimates has affected more than 2.5 million people, and an estimated 377,000 have been made homeless. The official Government figure for deaths now stands at 296 with a further 224 still missing in Balochistan.
Drinking water has been contaminated, homes, crops and roads washed away and the electricity supply is severely disrupted. Balochistan Province and parts of Sindh Province have suffered most.
Key priorities for relief are:
- clean drinking water, sanitation and hygiene;
- healthcare to deal with potential increases in diarrhoea, malaria, respiratory infections and skin infections; and
- plastic sheeting and bamboo poles for shelter (tents are deemed too hot as the daytime temperature is 45 degrees).
Livelihood interventions are likely to be key in the immediate post-relief period.
Flood waters are now receding and roads are reopening. Water levels are falling in flood protection dams. It appears that some healthcare services are now available in most districts, supplemented by mobile clinics. However, heavy rain continues in Sindh Province.
DFID has committed £2.2m to help in Pakistan, allocated as follows:
- £250,000 to the (Pakistani) Rural Support Programme Network;
- £500,000 to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation;
- £250,000 to the UN, for them to allocate to urgent priorities;
- £500,000 through the IFRC;
- £600,000 to Oxfam, Mercy Corps and Islamic Relief (£200,000 each); and
- £100,000 spent on key UN and Red Cross field experts.
The DFID humanitarian team has now returned to the UK from Pakistan.
India
There are reports that continuing heavy rains and flooding in Maharashtra and West Bengal have brought the death toll from 160 to 271 people in recent days. Floods have affected seven states since 19 June with Maharashtra and Andhra Prasdesh worst affected. Thousands of villages have been left without basic services like water and power, and hundreds of miles of roads and rails tracks are under water. [Source: Agence France-Presse]
The Government of India has not issued an appeal for international assistance and is responding with assistance from international and national NGOs.
Afghanistan
Heavy rain since 24 June caused widespread flash floods that have killed 63 people [IFRC], with seven more missing, destroyed roads, and damaged homes, livestock, crops and irrigation works. No international assistance has been requested and the UN, IFRC and NGOs are engaging in relief activities.
Links