10-year-old Suneel* and 6-year-old Nadhir* look across floodwaters in Sindh, Pakistan, where millions of people need urgent help. Their families lost their homes in the disaster and are among the thousands being supported with emergency aid by DEC charity Islamic Relief.
As floods devastate Pakistan, the people of Northern Ireland are being urged to give what they can as the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Pakistan Floods Appeal gets underway.
Launched today, Thursday 1 September, the appeal will help millions across the country who are in need of immediate help to survive.
One third of Pakistan – an area the size of the UK - has been submerged, according to the government of Pakistan, with floods sweeping away entire communities and leaving more than a million homes destroyed or badly damaged. At least 1,100 people have already been killed and 6 million more are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance.
The DEC brings together 15 leading aid agencies at times of crisis overseas. Seven of its member charities, including Action Against Hunger, Islamic Relief and Save the Children, are already on the ground in Pakistan providing life-saving aid but say that funds are vital to reach more of those affected with food, clean drinking water and shelter. At least three more members are intending to respond either directly or through local partners.
In Northern Ireland, the DEC brings together the charities Concern Worldwide, Save the Children, the British Red Cross and Tearfund.
Around 33 million people are affected overall – one in seven Pakistanis. Whole villages have been cut off, with rescuers struggling to reach them. Schools, roads, crops, and livelihoods are gone, and DEC charities say that time is critical with conditions expected to worsen as the rains continue.
The immediate focus of the relief effort is to save lives and provide temporary shelter and blankets to people who lost their homes, clean water and sanitation to prevent the spread of water-borne diseases, food and medical assistance.
Director at Tearfund Northern Ireland Glen Mitchell said:
“Floods in Pakistan are devastating homes, livelihoods, and entire communities. We know that one in seven Pakistanis – around 33 million people overall – are affected as whole villages become cut off and people become more exposed to the elements. This might seem like a far-off crisis, but the people of Northern Ireland have an opportunity to help save lives. Supporting the DEC Pakistan Floods Appeal allows you to donate directly to charities delivering assistance on the ground. We urge everyone to give what they can to support this effort.”
DEC Chief Executive Saleh Saeed said:
“Our priority right now is to help save and protect lives as waters continue to rise. The scale of these floods has caused a shocking level of destruction – crops have been swept away and livestock killed across huge swathes of the country, which means hunger will follow. DEC charities are doing all they can but donations from the British public will make a huge difference in enabling them to reach more people. We’re urging everyone to give whatever they can at what we appreciate is a difficult time for us all.”
Stay up to date with developments in Pakistan, the emergency response and the fundraising efforts with the DEC on Twitter: www.twitter.com/decappeal or on Facebook via www.facebook.com/DisastersEmergencyCommittee
How to Donate:
Online: dec.org.uk
Phone: 0330 678 1000. Standard geographic charges from landlines and mobiles will apply
SMS: To donate £10 text SUPPORT to 70000. Texts cost £10 plus the standard network charge and the whole £10 goes to the DEC Pakistan Floods Appeal. You must be 16 or over and please ask the bill payer's permission. For full terms and conditions and more information go to www.dec.org.uk.
Or donate over the counter at any high street bank or post office or send a cheque by post to DEC Pakistan Floods Humanitarian Appeal, PO Box 999, London EC3A 3AA.