Thousands displaced by monsoon floods in Pakistan

Just over one year after the devastating 2010 floods in Pakistan, monsoon rains have once again caused flooding that has left much of the country’s south under water.

According to the Pakistan Red Crescent Society, an estimated 750,000 people across six districts of Sindh province alone have been affected.  For the past month, the intensity of the annual rains increased, with rising water levels causing breaches in canal embankments leading to flash flooding. An estimated 300,000 acres of agricultural land have been engulfed by the flood waters and over 50,000 people have been displaced from their homes.

In the wake of this latest disaster, the Red Crescent responded immediately through its local branches. Response teams including staff and volunteers trained in emergency response, first aid, and healthcare were deployed to the affected areas within 24 hours of the flash floods to carry out rapid needs assessments and provide emergency relief.

The Canadian Red Cross has been working in Pakistan since 2005 and has a strong partnership with the Pakistan Red Crescent in the areas of disaster response, disaster preparedness and community health.  The situation is being monitored closely and pre-positioned supplies of stock and personnel are ready to be deployed if requested.   

Posted:  August 25, 2011