Rapid Response Payment No. 12/2007

Funds Sent To: Church World Service Pakistan/Afghanistan

Amount Sent: US$ 50,000

Date: 28 June 2007

Details of Payment

Emergency: Storms in Gadap, Sindh Province

Date of Emergency: End June 2007

Implementing partners: Church World Service, Pakistan/Afghanistan

Details of the emergency: Heavy rains continue to fall on Karachi, Pakistan's largest city, and in surrounding areas throughout southern Pakistan. Parts of the city are still without power and basic amenities, and there is concern that unless cleanup efforts are implemented soon, health issues - such as water-borne diseases - can become a serious problem. More than 300 persons have died from storm-related damage and flooding.

Church World Service Pakistan/Afghanistan has conducted its first assessment in Gadap, one of the worst-hit towns, about 55 kilometres outside Karachi. Of the eight local units in Gadap, four were very severely hit, with Gujro and Sangul being the worst affected. One thousand homes have been either severely damaged or completely destroyed. Much of the destruction was caused by winds gusts of 111 kilometres per hour, accompanied by torrential rains which caused many of the houses and buildings in the poorer areas of the city to collapse.

The death toll currently stands at twenty four with over 250 injured, including a high number of women and children. The collapse of trees, billboards and electric cables also contributed to the fatalities. The toll on livestock is also high which will have an immediate economic impact in the area where most people make their living from agriculture. In addition, 75 poultry farms have been destroyed. The overall cost to the region has been thus far estimated at 200 million rupees, just under $3.5 million.

Offers from the UN and the international community to help in the current crisis have not yet been taken up. In Gadap, the government has provided food for all those affected, though this is due to end by 29 June. At the moment there are no agencies operating in the area to provide food relief, temporary shelter and potable drinking water. However, the Red Crescent has set up a mobile clinic as there are increasing instances of coughs and high fever amongst the children.

In addition, water contamination is a severe issue. Residents in Gadap uses concrete water tank to store water (1 tank for 20~25 people), and due to heavy winds, the covers have blown away. The residents now have to use contaminated water.

There are around 30 makeshift camps operating throughout Karachi, though these are reported to be unpopular with locals who are keen to get back to their homes as soon as possible.

Goal: The main goal of this project is to provide emergency assistance in the form of food packages and plastic sheeting to the most vulnerable storm affected families in the worst hit areas.

Number and Type of Beneficiaries

250 of the most vulnerable families in the worst affected areas in Gadap town will be selected. Vulnerable widows, children and the elderly without food and in need of assistance will be given priority.

Proposed Assistance

The relief package for each family (which is according to Sphere standards for food items), will consist of: 80 kg wheat flour, 40 kg rice, 7 kg pulses, 10 litres cooking oil, 7 kg sugar, 2 kg tea leaves, 1 kg iodised salt, 2 kg dry milk, 1 carton (12 boxes) matches, 1 plastic sheet to use as roofing material. In addition, 70 plastic sheets will be provided to the local government authority in order to cover the water tanks.

Implementation period: two months end June to end August 2007.

TOTAL EXPENDITURE: US$ 50,000

(For the detailed budget, kindly visit the ACT site. Thank you.)

ACTION

The ACT Co-ordinating Office has approved the use of US$ 50,000 towards the budget from its Rapid Response Fund and would be grateful to receive contributions to wholly or partially replenish this payment.

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ACT is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies world-wide. The ACT Co-ordinating Office is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland.