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Find out moreConcerns grow over Pakistan camp conditions
06-August-2010
A man evacuates his children through waist-deep waters in Nowshera, Pakistan.
There are growing concerns over conditions in camps, as the arrival of thousands of Pakistanis displaced by the floods puts a strain on health and shelter facilities.
Almost half of Pakistan’s population is children and with around three million people now affected by the floods, it is estimated that 70% are women and children.
Plan is providing direct aid, food and shelter assistance to 13,000 families – some 100,000 people. Please support our vital work and donate to the Children in Crisis Fund today.
A Plan assessment team has visited one of the camps, where around 100 families are staying. The team found there were not enough toilets, a lack of appropriate shelter for women and children and health kits were urgently needed. Most people only have the clothes they are wearing and many are barefoot.
Poor facilities
In and around Layyah, one of the worst hit districts, a number of camps have been set up holding an estimated 100,000 people, while a further 100,000 people are believed to be scattered along the river banks with their salvaged belongings and livestock.
Shahnawaz Khan, Plan’s disaster risk reduction program coordinator in Pakistan, said: “We saw mainly women and children and it was sad to see the state of affairs they were in. There were around 55–60 people in a room that is only 16x16 feet. This room also contained whatever belongings these people could salvage after the rescue or evacuation.”
Deeply affected
Shahnawaz said: ”The children we saw seemed deeply affected. They were roaming around aimlessly and were listless and sad. There is no form of activity for them and they seem to be scared of the circumstances they are in right now.
“I talked to 9-year-old Mehmood* and asked him why he looked so upset and he told me, “I just want to go home but my mother says the water has taken away everything, so I don’t know where we will go, there is water everywhere.”
Plan action
Plan will put up emergency toilets in each campsite, distribute food and provide recreational kits for children that will include play and learning materials. We are also assembling 9000 health and hygiene kits for distribution.
Plan and partners continue to make preparations in Sindh Province, where floods are expected in the next few days.
Donations to Plan’s relief work in Pakistan can be made online to Plan’s Children in Crisis Fund or by calling 13 75 26.
Find out more about Plan’s work in Pakistan.
* name changed to protect the identity of the child
Media information:
Plan staff in Pakistan and Australia are available for media interviews. Please direct all enquiries to:David Cook
Media Officer
Plan International Australia
Mobile: 0448 816 900
Email: david.cook@plan.org.au