Disaster training helps children cope with floods

A family affected by the floods in Pakistan.

More areas of Pakistan are under threat as record floodwaters head downstream on the River Indus magnified by the heavy rains that continue to fall.

Next in line is Sindh province. Plan has involved the area's families in disaster risk reduction work over the past 12 months.

Children and their parents were taught how best to cope with a disaster in their flood-prone villages and are now involved in the relief effort.

"It was about creating awareness of what to do in an emergency and now families are involved in evacuation plans as well as distributing food and water to those most in need," says Rashid Javed, Acting Country Director for Plan Pakistan.

"Part of the disaster risk reduction work is also about involving children in psychosocial recovery, which is something we expect to come into play later."

Plan has moved quickly, distributing food, water and health and hygiene kits.

An outbreak of diarrhoea and cholera is now a real fear and Plan is in talks to set up mobile health clinics.

Plan International Australia’s Disasters Manager Rohan Kent says Plan’s response program will involve child protection measures throughout its implementation.

“Whenever large numbers of people are displaced by a disaster, the risks to children increase dramatically,” says Mr Kent. “They are at increased risk of abuse, violence and trafficking and their needs are often overlooked.

“As a child-focused agency Plan strives to ensure that the needs of vulnerable children are prioritized, and our response in Pakistan will incorporate this.”

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

Plan has been working in Pakistan since 1997. Find out more about Plan’s work in Pakistan.

ENDS

INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES:

Two staff members from Plan International Australia have experience working in the affected regions of Pakistan and can comment on the current crisis.

Disasters Manager Rohan Kent worked in north-west Pakistan in 2009 during the civil conflict that displaced millions of people. He is currently overseeing Plan International Australia’s response to the Pakistan floods.

Child Protection in Emergencies Specialist Amalia Fawcett worked in north-west Pakistan after the massive 2005 earthquake. She can comment on the importance of child protection in the midst of the current emergency, and the unique cultural sensitivities that must be considered.

To speak to Rohan Kent or Amalia Fawcett, contact:

David Cook
Media Officer
Plan International Australia
Mob: 0448 816 900
Ph: 03 9672 3652
Email: david.cook@plan.org.au

Background information

• Plan is providing direct aid, food and shelter assistance to an initial 13,000 families – some 100,000 people
• The rains that fell in the north are now heading south via rivers and are expected to impact upon the Sindh region in three days or so. Plan has stockpiled additional aid supplies, including hygiene kits, food and plastic sheeting for thousands of people in the Thatta, Ghotki and Khairpur areas in preparation for a scaled-up response. More heavy rain is forecast nationwide with the monsoon rains expected to fall until September.
• Children are particularly vulnerable in disasters. Children are particularly at risk of diarrhoea, cholera, malaria, dengue and respiratory infections. There have already been reported cases of cholera is some areas. Plan is distributing hygiene kits and working closely with health officials to monitor and address disease, and planning mobile health camps in Layyah.