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Food crisis in West Africa

Food crisis in West Africa

Millions of children and their families in West and Central Africa face a growing humanitarian disaster as a food crisis intensifies across the region.

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Pakistani children endure new flooding

18-August-2011

Women wade through floodwaters in Sindh Province, southern Pakistan.

THOUSANDS of families are facing fresh misery in southern Pakistan as torrential rains hit Sindh Province.

Up to 300,000 people in Badin district have been left homeless by flooding.*

The most vulnerable are being evacuated after 30cm of water swamped their homes.

"Our specialist disaster response teams are on the ground in Sindh Province where thousands of people are in need of food, shelter and safe drinking water," says Plan's Pakistan Country Director Haider Yaqub.

"More rain is forecast in the next few days and there are fears the problems will escalate."

Sindh Province was one of the worst hit by last year's devastating floods with 7.5 million people affected.

In response to this latest disaster, the government has set up temporary relief camps in 43 high schools.

However, they are only housing 20 per cent of the people who have been displaced.

"Some families are also taking shelter in primary schools and health centres," says Mr Yaqub.

“The majority are stranded on the roadside as they've been unable to reach the camps.”

Plan's teams are focusing on providing shelter and clean water and sanitation – as well as setting up safe spaces for children affected by the floods.

"We are aiming to ensure children, especially girls, are kept safe from harm during this difficult time," explains Mr Yaqub.

Heavy rains are taking a toll across South Asia.

About one million people have also been affected by floods in Southern Bangladesh.

Support Plan's work to help children and their families in emergencies. Make a donation to the Children in Crisis Fund.

Find out more about Plan's work in Pakistan.

* No sponsored children have been affected by the latest floods in Pakistan.