PAKISTAN FLOODS: Save the Children spokesperson available

PAKISTAN FLOODS: Save the Children spokesperson available in Pakistan

21 September 2011

The lives of two million people – over half of them children - are at severe risk from disease as devastating flooding continues in southern Pakistan. Many are struggling to cope, after being left vulnerable from last year’s disaster. Children are already weak and malnourished.

Save the Children’s Faris Kasim is in Pakistan and available to speak with media about the effects of the devastating floods and what Save the Children is doing to help.

“Children living in Sindh were already very weak and vulnerable following last year's floods, and rates of malnutrition are high. Now thousands of children are again having to survive in the cold, at risk of disease and facing an even tougher struggle to get the food they need,” he says.

"It's crucial we provide life-saving supplies to the affected population as fast as possible to make sure children have shelter and are protected from life-threatening disease. Roads that had not been repaired since the last floods have again been severely damaged, which means conditions are very challenging. But our teams are on the ground and we are ramping up our emergency response to save children's lives."

Save the Children is distributing mosquito nets, soap and other hygiene items – aid that could mean the difference between life and death for hundreds of thousands of children. We have also: Provided to 1,300 households with food assistance; provided 1,576 patients with emergency healthcare services; distributed shelter, households and hygiene kits to 850 families; distributed 500 hygiene kits to families; trained 1,500 people including 453 children, about hygiene awareness; and provided psychosocial support to 2,101 children (1,126 are boys and 975 girls)

Save the Children has been working in Pakistan for more than 30 years and is already supporting nearly seven million people in the country. Last year, we launched our biggest ever emergency response for Pakistan when the crisis hit and thanks to the generosity of supporters Save the Children has reached 4 million people, 1.8 million of whom were children. New Zealanders contributed nearly $350,000 towards the emergency and helped Save the Children globally to help children and families in Pakistan.

Save the Children New Zealand set up a Children’s Emergency Fund in 2010. By donating to it, New Zealanders can help us save more children’s lives. Children are extremely vulnerable when disaster strikes and the sooner we arrive, the more children we can save. For more information visit www.savethechildren.org.nz

ENDS