Hope for Pakistan as WJR supports reconstruction efforts

The floods began in late July 2010, as a result of unusually heavy monsoon rains, and left more than 300,000 square miles of land underwater – an area larger than England. Almost 2000 people were killed and more than 20 million were seriously affected, with their homes, farmland and infrastructure completely destroyed. It was described by UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon as the worst disaster he had ever seen.

Working closely with trusted international and local partners, Human Aid Focus and Concern Worldwide on the ground in Pakistan, WJR quickly delivered family support kits to 12,800 people displaced by the floods in the districts of Charsadda, Swat and Nowsherea in Khyber Pakhtunkwa Province, providing them with rehydration salts, mosquito nets, blankets, kitchen equipment, a floor mat and a plastic sheet for shelter.

Since then, the charity has supported the country’s longer term needs by working with its partner to deliver cash grants to reconstruct 180 family homes which were completely destroyed by flood waters in the Bagh district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Province. Funding has also been provided for the rebuilding of key infrastructure in the same district: three vital bridges and protection walls have enabled the early restoration of economic and social activity in the area. The walls have successfully protected communities in this region from further flooding this year.

In a unique funding partnership, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee has supported WJR to enable the completion of this work in Pakistan. WJR monitored the quality of implementation carefully utilising the services of a renowned UK-based Professor of Urban Development to access and review the impact of such work. Her report complemented the impact of the work WJR completed, particularly with women who had lost everything in the floods.

One beneficiary of WJR’s support is 50 year old Qasim, a widow, whose entire livelihood and independence was lost following the floods. The devastating waters completely destroyed her livestock, maize fields, house and other prized possessions. With WJR’s assistance a new home was constructed, allowing her to concentrate on her land and plan for the season’s coming crops. She said: “This assistance has contributed to the regaining of my individuality, freedom and pride. Bless those who have done this for me.”

WJR has also helped to establish two women’s vocational training centres offering an advanced embroidery course to 60 rural women. The course is part of WJR’s Livelihood Development Programme which will provide the women with key training and the opportunity to acquire new skills which could assist their livelihood development.

Paul Anticoni, Chief Executive of WJR, said: “The scale and severity of this disaster in the summer of 2010 moved our community to dig deep and respond. Illustrating our commitment to the tenet of ‘tikkun olam’, healing the world, we reached across a challenging cultural divide and showed our concern for others with practical, timely and appropriate action. Our partners have celebrated such collaboration and share World Jewish Relief’s commitment to multi-faith partnerships.”

WJR is pleased to have had the endorsement, support, assistance and cooperation of a broad range of Jewish communal organisations for the Pakistan Appeal, including:

- The Office of the Chief Rabbi

- The US

- Masorti Judaism

- Reform Judaism

- Liberal Judaism

- Board of Deputies of British Jews

- Tzedek

- JCC

- Union of Jewish Students

- RSY

- The Federation of Synagogues

-Spanish & Portuguese Jews’ Congregation

For more information about WJR's work in Pakistan or find out more about WJR’s emergency appeals and donate to the East Africa Food Crisis Appeal please visit www.wjr.org.uk, call 020 8736 1250, or email info@wjr.org.uk.