OTTAWA, September 13, 2022 – In response to the flooding emergency unfolding in Pakistan, leading Canadian aid agencies – working together as the Humanitarian Coalition – are raising funds to scale-up assistance to people in need. The priority needs for the people in Pakistan include clean water, food, shelter and health care.
The Government of Canada has announced that it will match donations to the Humanitarian Coalition and its member charities up to $3 million.
Catastrophic flash floods caused by monsoon rains have left large areas of land under water, affecting more than 33 million people. The situation for communities in the flood-affected areas is getting worse day by day. There is widespread destruction of homes, roads, schools, health facilities, other infrastructure, and loss of livestock. We are witnessing unprecedented impacts of climate change in Pakistan – the Pakistan Meteorological Department estimates that the country has already experienced more than twice the amount of rainfall expected in a year, and we are only three quarters of the way through the year.
We know in times of disaster that women and girls are among the most vulnerable. Countless women and girls affected by the floods are now sleeping out in the open with little more than a basic sheet over their heads and many do not have access to sanitation facilities – this is particularly challenging for pregnant and lactating women and menstruating women and girls.
QUOTE
Richard Morgan, executive director of the Humanitarian Coalition, says, “The flooding emergency in Pakistan is alarming. Our member charities are rallying together to help save lives, and we invite Canadians to join us. We are grateful to the federal government for matching the public’s donations.”
The following members of the Humanitarian Coalition are currently responding to the flooding emergency in Pakistan: Action Against Hunger, Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Canadian Lutheran World Relief, CARE Canada, Doctors of the World, Islamic Relief Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec, Save the Children Canada.
Canadians can give to Pakistan flood relief at together.ca or by calling 1-855-461-2154.
-30-
CARE has spokespeople available. For media inquiries, please contact:
Media Relations
CARE Canada
media@care.ca
For more information about the Humanitarian Coalition or to request an interview:
Marg Buchanan
marg.buchanan@humanitariancoalition.ca
514-627-3932
About CARE Canada:
Founded in 1945 with the creation of the CARE Package®, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. CARE places special focus on working alongside women and girls. Equipped with the proper resources women and girls have the power to lift whole families and entire communities out of poverty. In 2020, CARE worked in over 100 countries, reaching more than 90 million people through 1,300 projects.
To learn more about CARE Canada, visit www.care.ca
About the Humanitarian Coalition:
The Humanitarian Coalition brings together 12 leading aid organizations to provide Canadians with a simple and effective way to help during large-scale humanitarian emergencies.
To learn more about the Humanitarian Coalition, visit www.humanitariancoalition.ca.