Islamic Relief USA Responds to Pakistan Floods

(Washington, D.C., Sept. 16, 2011) Islamic Relief USA, a relief and development organization based in the D.C. metro area, is responding to the devastating floods in the Sindh province. Some of the same regions of Pakistan that were devastated by floods in the summer of 2010 are under water once again amid monsoon rains. Islamic Relief’s worldwide offices are already providing relief, and Islamic Relief USA is preparing to provide additional aid.

The United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian affairs has reported that via the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in Sindh:

• Monsoon rains have so far affected over 5.3 million people
• The number of deaths has increased to 226 (including 59 women and 34 children)
• 1.1 million homes have been damaged or destroyed
• Thousands of livestock have been lost
• More than 300,000 individuals (including 78,000 women and 140,000 children) are currently staying at 2,150 relief sites
• Continuing rain has disrupted communication and electricity and complicated relief efforts
• Schools are closed in Karachi and Hyderabad Floodwater has washed into drinking-water sources, contaminating them with bacteria that can cause illnesses
• Some populations are relying on open pond water, which also carries the risk of spreading communicable diseases
• Nearly 60% of the population in Sindh province is displaced

The heavy rainfall is continuing as of Sept. 15.

Last year’s floods submerged one-fifth of Pakistan, affecting more than 20 million people. More than 6 million people were left homeless, and 800,000 families were still without permanent shelter when the current flooding hit.

“Families have again been forced from their homes and left searching for temporary shelter. Sindh – heavily damaged last year – is the area hardest hit by the current flooding, with nearly the entire province covered in water,” said CEO of Islamic Relief USA.

Parts of Balochistan Province also are underwater.

Islamic Relief Pakistan is assessing the situation to best address the basic needs of people affected by the floods. During the 2010 Pakistan floods, Islamic Relief USA’s emergency aid included:

• Provision of emergency shelter
• Provision of household kits and kitchen kits
• Provision of food items
• Dewatering of land
• Provision of water for drinking and cleaning
• Provision of hygiene kits and pit latrines
• Initiation of health campaign including provision of first aid

The response helped to reduce the number of deaths and aided in sustaining the lives of flood survivors through food assistance and livelihood projects.

Islamic Relief USA is a nonprofit 501(c)(3)humanitarian organization with eight consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator. Its mission is to alleviate suffering, hunger, illiteracy and disease regardless of color, race, gender or creed, and to provide aid in a compassionate and dignified manner. It aims to provide rapid relief in the event of human and natural disasters around the world and to establish sustainable local development projects, allowing communities to better help themselves.

For more information on Islamic Relief USA’s response to the Pakistan flood, please visit irusa.org.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Hebah Reed
Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs
(703) 370-7202
hreed@irusa.org