International Rescue Committee (IRC)

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"Desperate" situation in flood-ravaged Pakistan

These photos from the IRC team in Pakistan show flood damage in Mingora, the capital of Swat district.  Swat is one of the areas hit hardest by recent monsoon rains and flash flooding.

The International Rescue Committee is on the ground providing aid to victims of the worst flooding in Pakistan’s modern history. At least 1,400 people have been killed and three million people have been affected by the devastating monsoon rains.  My IRC colleagues in Pakistan shared these photos of the destruction in Mingala, the capital of the hard-hit Swat district:

International Rescue Committee staff inspect flood damage in Mingala, Swat, Pakistan

“Our greatest concern right now is that people’s supplies of drinking water have been contaminated by the flood waters,” says the IRC’s Pakistan director, Tammy Hasselfeldt. “Reports of diarrhea and gastrointestinal problems are rapidly increasing.”

Fllood destruction in Mingala, Swat, Pakistan

In response, we are planning to launch a major aid effort to clean contaminated wells and repair broken water systems, targeting the worst affected areas: Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Noweshera, Charsadda, Swat and Dir.

Car overturned in monsoon flooding in Mingala, Swat, Pakistan

IRC teams have visited some 200 villages in Swat district and estimate that nearly 200,000 people remain trapped by broken roads and bridges and are awaiting assistance. 

“The situation is desperate,” Tammy says. “It will take a very long time and increased support from the outside world to help people recover from this catastrophe.”

7 comments

Comments

IRC Jobs: Thanks to everyone

IRC Jobs: Thanks to everyone who has expressed interest in working with the IRC in Pakistan. Please visit our Web site at www.theIRC.org/careers to learn more about available job and volunteer opportunities and apply. (We are unable to review resumes and CVs submitted as blog comments. Please read our commenting guidelines for more info.) Thanks again.

Respected Sir, i would like

Respected Sir, i would like to join your organisation to helf the flood affected people as a "Volunteer". I am resident of Punjab (Pakistan) and can provide some quantity of food items for the flooded region. I would strongly recomend you to produce some tasks for me in the flooded punjab or sindh.

I am from vancouver,canada

I am from vancouver,canada and i wanted to say that this problem in Pakistan is been made worse by the inability of the United nations to get the aid and equipment needed to help the people there.It shouldn't be a matter of money to get what is needed.All the things necessary are available to help but the method of distribution of these things are holding the much needed help back.This tragedy is one hundred times worse because of that.The capitalist way of doing things are the cause of many deaths in the world.It is time to get rid of this system the same as feudalism and slavery were gotten rid of for the good of the people.

sir, i would like join

sir, i would like join your organization .i also work with you as a store keeper /pharmasist. my another job is male nurse .my experince is above than thirty year .i shell be very thankful to you. Name:Muhammad Anwar

Thanks, muhammad anwar awan,

Thanks, muhammad anwar awan, for your interest in working with the IRC. You can find information about jobs and volunteer opportunities at http://www.theirc.org/careers

My country is going through a

My country is going through a great suffering and miseries because of the sequential disasters, one after the other. In Particular the life in KPK province is almost crippled because of the Military Operations against Taliban since May 2008. The most recent flood has really added devastation in the region and washed away houses, properties, public infrastructure, livestock and the entire supply chain. The recent rains started on July 22/23 affected millions of people and destroyed roads and communication network along the Indus and Kabul rives. The most affected districts are Nowshera, Peshawar, Charsadda, Swat, Shangle and Dir, DI Khan and Tank districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province -Pakistan According to official estimates 2.5 million people have been affected by the natural calamity termed the worst in the history of the province Respested Sir, It is highly appreciable that your Organization working so much for planning to launch a major aid effort to clean contaminated wells and repair broken water systems, targeting the worst affected areas: Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Noweshera, Charsadda, Swat and Dir. I belong to mardan and would be glade to give an opportunity to join your emergency team as volunteer with following experience to help survivors of Pakistan's worst flooding in charsaddah and Nowshera. Sincerely, Tariq
I have more than two years of experience in CMAM( community managemement of acute malenutrition of the flood affected areas of peshawar 1n 2008 and Thirteen years of experience in participatory rural development with NGOs,CBOs and Donor Agencies. I have worked on various positions in the field as Markaz Coordinator, Team leader, Community Mobilizer ,Social services Animator, social organizer, Community Worker, ,Field monitoring & evaluation Officer ,rural financing. I have also facilitated various trainings to community activists NGO management and Education sector nationally. I have participated in various training courses,seminars and workshops. I have received my Master in Sociology from Peshawar University

Thanks very much for your

Thanks very much for your interest in volunteering, Tariq. You can look for jobs and volunteer opportunities in Pakistan at www.theIRC.org/careers

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