Emergency relief after a flood in Pakistan.
Programs: Emergency Relief
Especially during natural disasters, relief programs focussing on distribution of relief items will remain a "first response instrument" of Malteser International’s action, either by own operational staff or through partner organisations. Besides the classic distribution of relief items such as food and non-food items, we will also consider "non-traditional" methods of immediate relief, such as direct cash transfers to beneficiaries or cash for work programs.
Giving Shelter and Avoiding Diseases
In July 2007, the cyclone Yemyin left huge damages in South Asia. The south of Pakistan was particularly affected by the consequences of the storm and the following rainfalls. About 500 people died in the floods, more than 1.5 million became homeless.
In order to prevent the spread of contagious diseases like diarrhoea in the disaster region in the south of Pakistan, Malteser International with financial support of the Federal Foreign Office of Germany has distributed survival kits to 1,000 families who had lost their belongings in the floods. The packages included plastic tarps and sleeping mats, as well as water cans, water purification tablets and sanitary products like soap.
"We provided the material to those families who had completely lost their homes and all their belongings. But we not only gave them the material, we also sent out a hygiene awareness team. One of our staff members, Dr. Naveed, and local midwifes and other health staff were going ahead, not only informing the people most of them women that the distribution will take place some hours later but also explaining how to make the best use of the hygiene products to avoid diseases," says Branko Dubajic, project coordinator of Malteser International in Pakistan.
Malteser International is also funding the engagement of local partner organisations in this and other regions to help the afflicted rebuild their lives, and giving advice on planning, organisation and implementation of emergency relief and support projects.
Within three weeks, more than 50 hygiene awareness courses have been held in addition to the distribution of 1,000 survival kits for the flood victims in Pakistan.
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