Floods in northern Pakistan have killed over 1600 people so far and displaced an estimated 13.2 million more, with monsoon rains continuing to fall. Houses, bridges and roads have been washed away leaving people without food, shelter and drinking water. Conditions remain so extreme that authorities have not been able to fully assess the extent of the crisis to date.

The Vatican’s official international relief network, Caritas Internationalis, has carried out assessments in parts of Balochistan, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. They are focusing on moving aid items into accessible areas as quickly as possible and on trying to reach areas that have so far been cut off in order to assess the appropriate response.

Caritas initially provided emergency relief items to 1300 families in two districts of southern Punjab. They will provide 1500 families in Peshawar with water, food, cooking utensils, health and hygiene kits for an initial two weeks. Mosquito nets, water purification tablets, hygiene kits and kitchen supplies will also be distributed to 1350 households in Karkhan and Kohlu.

Update: (August 12, 2010) It is estimated that 13.8 million people have been affected in Pakistan and the situation is expected to worsen as the waters of the Indus River continue to swell from the rain and impact more areas. So far, the gushing flood waters have destroyed houses, roads, bridges, toppled electrical and phone lines, and reportedly caused the deaths of 1,600 people. Those living in the affected areas are faced with displacement, food shortages, lack of shelter, minimal clean water and sickness.

Working through the Catholic Church’s official relief network, funds received by ShareLife are being channelled through our partners to Caritas Pakistan. As soon as the floods began, Caritas Pakistan quickly mobilized and has already provided emergency relief to 1,300 families in two districts in the province of Punjab. It aims to extend its reach over the next two weeks with the distribution of water, food, cooking utensils, health and hygiene kits, mosquito nets and water purification tablets to close to 3,000 households. As the effects of the flooding emerge, Caritas will continue to respond to the situation with further emergency relief programs.

- Updates received through CCODP

 

Update: (July 31, 2010) Funds raised by the parishes in the Archdiocese of Toronto were sent via our humanitarian relief partner to Caritas Polska.

To date, Caritas Polska has provided :

IN-KIND DONATIONS
- 12 lorries of food & cleaning products
- 12 lorries of cleaning equipment e.g. 228 drying machines & 240 cleaning machines worth 229,694 EUR
- 20 000 bottles of anti bacterial gel for the total amount of 30,083 EUR
- 20 tones of coal and 10 lorries of construction materials will be delivered to those affected

HOLIDAYS FOR CHILDREN
1366 children from the affected families enjoy holidays in different Caritas holiday centers

SCHOOL KITS FOR CHILDREN
5000 children will be provided with school kits at the beginning of the school year
 
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
The total amount of  4,224,562 EUR was transferred to diocesan Caritas from Caritas Internationalis for provision of relief services, allowance for the affected and removal of floods’ effects 

- Report received through CCODP

Update: (July 9, 2010) Caritas has helped more than 2.3 million Haitians six months after an earthquake in January. Caritas has provided food, water, shelter, healthcare, sanitation, counselling and protection at a cost of US$46.8 million (€37.4 million).

Up to 1.5 million people received food aid and close to 400,000 benefited from Caritas healthcare programmes following the disaster. However, major challenges remain for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Haiti such as housing.

1 million+ people still live in makeshift settlements and camps around the capital Port-au-Prince and providing them with better accommodation ahead of the imminent rainy season is essential.

Caritas has provided emergency shelter or temporary homes to almost 160,000 people in Port-au-Prince and in rural areas since the earthquake struck.

Caritas is currently developing a rehabilitation and reconstruction plan for the next five years.

Caritas will provide further aid all throughout this rebuilding period. The focus will be on shelter, education, disaster risk reduction, health and livelihood recovery.

Bishop Pierre Dumas, President of Caritas Haiti, said, “Caritas continues to share the joys and miseries, the sorrows and hopes of this nation and its crucified history. On July 12, 2010, we remember those who rushed to the spot like heroes to save lives, relieve pain, give food and drink, welcome, house and express their solidarity."

- from caritas.org newsroom