Rehabilitation of Flood Affected People of District Bagh, Pakistan
WJR responded to the crisis that followed the flooding caused by heavy monsoon rains in Pakistan in July 2010. The worst floods in 80 years resulted in loss of life and displacement of more than 20 million people and damage to homes, cattle and crops.
In an area larger than England, the floods affected 20.4 million people and killed more than 1,700, damaging or destroying nearly 1.9 million homes. At least 8 million people were in urgent need of life-saving shelter, food, clean water, and medication.
WJR worked with partners immediately after the emergency to purchase 1,600 family kits, which include rehydration salts, mosquito nets, blankets, kitchen equipment, a floor mat and a plastic sheet for shelter. This supported 12,800 people displaced by the floods in the districts of Charsadda, Swat and Nowsherea in Khyber Pakhtunkwa Province.
With its partner, Human Aid Focus, WJR has also assisted in the longer term recovery process by assisting towards the reconstruction of 180 family homes in and around the Mahal stream area of Bagh District in Azad Jammu and Kashmir province, as well as supporting the reconstruction of foot bridges to enable the quick restoration of economic and social activity for the flood-affected population and rebuilding walls designed to protect against future flooding.
A further project supports sustainable economic development for the 2010 flood victims, addressing the gender-specific vulnerabilities caused by the natural disaster. Many women lost their cattle and livestock, the main source of income for 90% of rural women in the district. Through embroidery training course, 90 women from the flood-affected Bagh district will be helped to gain useful skills and improve their income.
Sadia's story
Sadia says, “It had been raining for two days when we were told that water in Mahal stream is uprising very quickly and will surround the village in the coming six to eight hours. Our neighbours were hastily running towards some safer place and we collected our precious goods in this short time, and we moved into the next village in our grandfather's house. Later that day we found that our house had been destroyed by the flooded stream. I lost my small beautiful doll, which my mum gifted me on my birthday. My whole family was very sad and we all were very much worried about our uncertain future."
Sadia's father, a graduate who works in a Government agricultural department, says, "I know the shelter we have built with the cash grant will not replace my old house but at least it will be my family's first step towards a new home. I am grateful to World Jewish Relief for supporting us in our critical days."
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© 2010 World Jewish Relief
Oscar Joseph House, 54 Crewys Road, London, NW2 2AD
Charity Number: 290767 | Tel: +44 (0)20 8736 1250 | info@wjr.org.uk
