Pray for Pakistan

World Vision says emergency in Pakistan will “get worse before it gets better”

 Information:
Sukkur, Pakistan, September 1, 2010 — More than one month after the flooding in Pakistan began, World Vision says the emergency in Pakistan will get worse before it gets better. Up to half of the affected population still hasn’t been reached. Unsanitary conditions and a lack of clean water are causing outbreaks of diarrhea and concerns about cholera. Children, wearing the same muddy clothes for days, are developing skin diseases like scabies, and many families are unable to begin the grieving process and bury their dead because there is no dry land on which to bury them.

Food and water: Many markets have been destroyed and food is generally not available. Some 3.2 million hectares of agricultural land have been flooded. Food scarcity is expected in coming days and months. The need is greater than available resources. The main water sources in the area are dug wells, hand pumps and a few tube wells. However, wells have become contaminated and the water is no longer safe to drink. People can live on small amounts of food, but they can’t survive without potable water.


Shelter: Many displaced families are without shelter. Others have found temporary shelter with friends and relatives, but overcrowding is making water, food and sanitation even scarcer. Many schools (private and public) are now serving as temporary shelters.

Health and sanitation: Some clinics in the area have been washed away, and medical staff and medicine are scarce. Children and families are suffering from diarrhea, vomiting, malaria and acute respiratory infections. There is risk of cholera outbreaks and spread of other waterborne diseases. Even before the flooding, families generally did not have proper toilets in their homes. Since the flooding, human waste has been mixed with drinking water. In addition, water is sitting stagnant in many places, increasing the risk of disease.

Infrastructure: The road networks in the area need to be rebuilt. Many isolated communities are depending on items ferried in by helicopter to survive. Power is out in some areas.

Livelihoods: Most people are farmers, earning a living from crops and livestock. Now, 3.2 million hectares of crops have been damaged. Irrigation systems are also damaged or need vast clean-up work.

World Vision has provided food, emergency items and health care to more than 30,000 people in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa Province (KPK) since the start of the floods. In addition, the aid agency plans to start a nearly $2.2 million project in Punjab through funding from the United States' Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, providing emergency relief, healthcare, and clean water to 104,000 people in the Murzaffargah and Rajanpur Districts.

Pray:
Pray that the Lord will use the disaster in Pakistan to turn the peoples' hearts to Him. Praise Him for the faithful and incredible work of World Vision in this area. Ask God to provide for and encourage the affected families and protect the World Vision staff from discouragement, disease and danger. Ask for unity amongst the relief organizations and that their efforts will bring about relief from the incredible suffering and despair of the children and others impacted by this catastrophic event.


Action Step:
To donate to World Vision's relief efforts in Pakistan, please visit www.worldvision.org or call 1-888-56-CHILD (1-888-562-4453).