In Balochistan an estimated 2.5 million people have been affected by the floods and 202 lives were lost. An estimated 360,000 people have been left homeless.A total of
15 out of 29 districts across the province have been affected from coastal areas to more inland districts of Balochistan. Bridges and communications infrastructures have been badly damaged and
many areas remain inaccessible by road.
Concern’s response
Concern responded quickly to the emergency created by the cyclone and floods in three flood affected districts of
Balochistan. Assisting 3,400 flood affected families Concern provided emergency relief food packages containing wheat flour, dates, rice, pulses, oil and high energy biscuits - enough to feed a
family for two weeks. Essential non-food items such as shelter, mosquito nets, hygiene kits, jerry cans and water purification tablets were also provided to each of the families. Concern
has been a lead agency in this humanitarian response; involved in the initial assessment of the affected area with other members of the Pakistan Humanitarian Forum. Concern’s
Emergency Programme Officer was nominated to join the World Bank/Asian Development Bank team in their detailed assessment of the needs of the affected communities.
Coordination
Concern is continuing to coordinate its activities with the relevant government authorities, UN and other NGOs in the target areas. This maximizes the effectiveness of the humanitarian
response and working with partner organisations helps develop early recovery strategies for the community for the future.
Vulnerable to flooding
Balochistan is always vulnerable to
flooding, earthquakes, cyclone and other natural disasters. Concern is committed to continuing our work in the area of disaster risk reduction (DRR) in Balochistan. DRR measures are an important
strategy in protecting the livelihoods of communities in such vulnerable areas. Concern has been working in the Awaran district of Balochistan, for over three years building flood protection
structures, training partner organisations and helping villages prepare disaster management plans to minimise the impact of natural disasters.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
