The floods have created a humanitarian crisis, with more than 1,000 people killed and widespread destruction of homes, roads, schools, health facilities and other critical infrastructure.
“When disasters like this hit, we know from experience that it’s women, girls and other marginalized groups who face the biggest challenges including access to humanitarian assistance,“ says CARE Pakistan Country Director, Adil Sheraz. “For example, pregnant women have nowhere to give birth safely, because the floods have washed away homes and health facilities. Their lives and the lives of their babies will be at risk if they can’t access proper maternal health care.”
The UN’s reproductive health agency estimates there are almost 650,000 pregnant women in Pakistan’s flood-affected areas, with up to 73,000 expected to give birth in the next month.
Mr. Sheraz says, “We also know from experience that violence against women increases in the aftermath of a disaster. With entire villages washed away, families broken up and many people sleeping under the sky, the usual social structures that keep people safe have fallen away, and this can be very dangerous for women and girls.”
Mahzeb*(name changed), a woman from one of the hardest hit areas in Balochistan province says, “The flood took away our homes. Two women and children in my family were lost in front of us. We are in mourning.”
CARE, which has worked in Pakistan since 2005, is providing lifesaving humanitarian assistance in Balochistan province including tents, tarps, emergency latrine kits, and everyday essentials including cooking pots, mosquito nets and menstrual hygiene products.
CARE is also planning to set up safe spaces for women and children in the camps for displaced people.
“CARE is seeking to raise $40 to $50 million US, so we can provide both immediate assistance, and longer-term recovery support over the next three years,” says Mr. Sheraz. “Right now, we are particularly concerned about people being exposed to the elements and outbreaks of waterborne diseases, including diarrhea, so we are focusing on getting shelter, hygiene and other essential items to affected communities.”
Mr. Sheraz says, “This is a full-blown humanitarian crisis and it’s not going to go away overnight. Many have lost everything they have—their loved ones, their homes, their livestock, their crops and their source of income.”
“These floods are some of the worst Pakistan has ever seen—this is what climate change looks like. We appeal to the international community for urgently-needed funds, so we can scale-up our efforts to provide immediate emergency relief and longer-term recovery assistance. The people of Pakistan have a long and difficult road ahead and need our collective support now.”
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About CARE Pakistan:
CARE Pakistan is contributing towards mitigating the impact of disasters through its humanitarian action programs. CARE works in some of the most remote and logistically challenging areas of Pakistan to address the underlying causes of poverty, with a special focus on women, children and the most marginalized people.
About CARE Canada:
Founded in 1945 with the creation of the CARE Package®, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization working around the globe to save lives, defeat poverty, and achieve social justice. CARE puts women and girls at the centre of our work because we know we cannot overcome poverty until all people have equal rights and opportunities. CARE develops solutions alongside women and girls to lift themselves, their families, and communities out of poverty and out of crisis. CARE works in over 100 countries around the world.
To learn more about CARE Canada, visit www.care.ca.