Pakistan Floods Q&A

[Caritas Pakistan]

Through our partners, we are still providing emergency relief to people affected by the floods in Pakistan
Give to our Pakistan appeal >>

What has happened?

More than 18 million people have been affected by the floods in Pakistan that started six months ago. Exceptional monsoon rains and flooded rivers in Pakistan caused major damage to infrastructure, including roads and dozens of bridges.
People’s homes have been destroyed, crops and businesses damaged and the devastation has affected 20 million people. This is the worst disaster of its kind for 80 years.

What are the most urgent priorities right now?

The most urgent needs are still food, clean water, medical care and shelter. Shelter is especially urgent, because many people have now returned to their destroyed homes and winter will soon be upon them.

Helping people to get back to being able to earn a living is an important priority in both the short and the long term, so that communities can be self-reliant again. Timing is particularly important for farmers, so that they may plant in the planting season and not lose another harvest.

Why can’t Pakistan cope with its own disaster?

The sheer scale of the disaster makes it impossible for a country such as Pakistan, already facing challenges of poverty and ongoing instability, to cope alone. The number of people affected by the floods is more than the combined total of people affected by the Boxing Day Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, Cyclone Katrina and the Kashmir earthquake in 2005, Cyclone Nargis in Burma/Myanmar and the Haiti earthquake in 2008 and 2010 respectively. The scale of the devastation is immense; the floods have destroyed homes, crops, animals, businesses, as well as roads, telecommunications networks, water supply and sewage systems. This is why international organisations such as CAFOD are assisting Pakistani authorities in their emergency response to the floods.

Can I be sure that my money is going to those in need in Pakistan?

Yes. We are working with our Caritas partners, and despite the challenges, our partners have been able to react quickly to the disaster. As a result, aid is getting through to those who need it, and we have reached more than 120,000 people. We have provided those most in need with safe water, temporary shelter, emergency medicine and basics such as blankets, sheeting and soap. So far, we have provided £1m to our partners, and are committed to giving a further £2m in the future. CAFOD takes the issue of donor funds very seriously, and is committed to making sure that all donations reach those in need as quickly as possible.

How will the situation likely develop?

The main priority for the near future is to make sure that those in most need receive the basics: food, medical care and shelter, and have access to clean water. The issue of shelter will become more important in a few months time because of winter, and making sure those in most need have suitable shelter, clothes and blankets will be a more urgent priority.

Then, once people have the basics, we can begin to focus on helping get people back on their feet, helping families and communities to rebuild their lives, homes and livelihoods.

How long has CAFOD been working in Pakistan?

CAFOD has supported work in Pakistan since 1986. Most work has been humanitarian and in response to major disasters; for example, between 2005 and 2010, we were responsible for coordinating the Caritas International response to the 2005 Pakistan earthquake.

Give to our Pakistan appeal >>

Give to DEC Pakistan Floods appeal >>

Give by phone

DEC: 0370 60 60 900

CAFOD: 0500 85 88 85

Give by post

DEC Pakistan Floods Appeal
PO Box 999
London
EC3A 3AA

CAFOD
Romero House
55 Westminster Bridge Road
London
SE1 7JB

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