Oxfam Scales Up Pakistan Floods Response

For immediate release: August 10, 2010

Oxfam Scales Up Pakistan Floods Response

Oxfam New Zealand today announced it is scaling up its appeal for funds, with the hope it can contribute $200,000 to support the international agency’s emergency response to Pakistan’s catastrophic flooding, which has affected an estimated 12 million people.

Huge swathes of the country are under an ocean of contaminated water and the risk of deadly water-borne disease and diarrhoea, especially for the very young, is still extremely high.

Oxfam response teams are working across four regions. The agency has so far delivered clean, safe drinking water to 100,000 people, evacuated 80,000 and is working to restore essential water supply for people made homeless by the flooding. Oxfam is also building emergency toilets and distributing hygiene and shelter kits to those in need.

“Aid is getting through but there is an enormous job ahead with the threat of further flooding in the coming days,” says Oxfam New Zealand’s Executive Director Barry Coates.

“We’re urging the New Zealand public to help us raise essential funds to provide people with the basic needs of clean water, food, hygiene supplies, healthcare and shelter.”

Oxfam is aiming to reach 650,000 people with essential emergency aid.

To donate to Oxfam’s Pakistan Floods Response please call 0800 400 666; to make an automatic $20 donation call 0900 600 20, or visit www.oxfam.org.nz to donate online.

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