CREST Pakistan Flood Response Report (14-21 Oct)

Background

A devastating flood affecting roughly 10%-30% of Pakistan started with a massive heatwave back in April and May 2022 which had caused glaciers in northern Pakistan to start melting. This was followed by rainfall in June and July caused Indus rivers and it’s many tributaries to burst and overflow into the surrounding lands.

It is estimated that 33 million people are directly affected by the flood with about 1,569 deaths including 555 children thus far. About 2 million houses were destroyed or damaged. This is besides the 1 million livestock killed and infrastructure destroyed or damaged. The aftermath of the flooding resulted in suffering and more deaths due to lack of clean water, food, proper sanitation, and shelter.

Team

Edward Tan (Team Lead, Log, Photo and Video)

Lee Henn (Treasurer, Logistics)

Activity

CREST sent a team to Mirphu Khas, Sindh as its province was affected heavily by the rainfall (about 508% increase). The team had identified a local Pakistani partner NGO under the Diocese of Hyderabad, Church of Pakistan.

The response activities are to mainly include distribution of basic essential relief items such as food, hygiene items as well as vector control related household items to families affected in Mirphu Khas. Three villages were selected for the distribution which were 333 Chak Punjabi Village, 78 Mori Village and Umer Patel Village with a total of 50 families that received the aid items.

During the visit, CREST team had also conducted simple assessments within those villages and the areas within with the locals being interviewed. It was identified that many of the houses that did not get washed away during the flood had experienced damage of varying degrees. Most of the mud walls had cracks and while some were no longer structurally sound.

The assessment consisted of visual recording as well as interviews conducted with village people, representatives of village people were categorised into three groups: elderly men, young men, and women. Women had been isolated from the men during interviews for cultural reasons and for better accuracy. The assessment will help in future decisions of relief work in Pakistan.

Report submitted by

Edward Tan