One of the main issues for poor families in rural areas of Sindh province in Pakistan, who have lost livestock and crops, is food security, writes Fr Liam O’Callaghan.
In some of the worst affected areas they have been unable to plant crops for the coming season as flood water is still present. Many have become unemployed as a result and for vast numbers of poor people, being able to provide food for their families is a major struggle.
In response to this need, for the last number of months, Columbans here have been responding to these basic human needs of poor people, and it is clear that these needs will continue for the winter months.
Columban missionary Fr Liam O’Callaghan talking to flood victims in Pakistan.
Through the generosity of various donors worldwide, especially through the Columban network, including a substantial contribution from Misean Cara, a branch of Irish Government overseas aid channelled through missionaries, and private donations, we have been able to assist some of the most vulnerable people in various areas of Sindh.
In the last two months, we have been able to assist 267 families from a €15,000 donation received through the Columbans in Ireland. We were able to give a substantial donation to these families which included: food rations (flour, rice, cooking oil, milk powder, tea, sugar, pickle, spices); mosquito nets; health kits (soap washing powder, disinfectant, cotton wool); 17 water coolers (to carry home clean drinking water).
Most of the recipient families work on the land of local landlords and with the loss of crops and livestock, they have gone further into debt, and leading to unemployment for many.
Education has been affected for the children and there is a major health crisis because of the unsanitary situation and unsafe drinking water. The donation was a short-term help as they tried to rebuild their lives and their homes.
Of the 267 families we assisted lived in various parts of Sindh, 150 families live in Khipro where Columban Fr Louie works. The people are from the Parkari Kohli indigenous community.
A further 27 families who live on the outskirts of Hyderabad city, near the bypass, having moved from rural areas to the city in search of work were assisted. Most of them are also from the Parkari Kohli indigenous community, though five families are members of the Sindhi Bheel indigenous community.
A further 90 families were helped in the Tando Adam area, which was particularly badly affected by flooding because of its proximity to the River Indus, which burst its banks in many areas. The people we assisted here are members of the Kutchi Kohli indigenous community.
Responding to the above mentioned medical needs, the Columbans, from late September until present, have been operating a medical outreach team from Joti Centre, the Educational and Cultural Centre of Hyderabad diocese, whose director is Columban Fr Tomás King.
In the 11 weeks to date that this medical outreach has been working, over 6,000 patients have been seen; these are poor families in rural areas where no other medical outreach team has reached.
The bi-weekly report produced by the OCHA Humanitarian Advisory Team (HAT) in Pakistan on 25th November stated: As of 11th November, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) recorded 1,739 deaths and 12,867 injuries since mid-June.
In addition, more than 2.2 million houses have been damaged or destroyed, 13,115 kilometres of roads damaged, 439 bridges destroyed, and over 1.1 million livestock lost.
Cases of water and vector-borne diseases and acute respiratory illnesses, especially among children and older adults, remain a key public health challenge in flood-affected areas of Sindh and Balochistan.
As of 8th November, according to World Health Organization (WHO), around 8 million flood-affected people need health assistance, including the provision of essential medical supplies and access to essential health care.
Support Columbans working with flood victims in Pakistan by donating online here: https://columbans.ie/donate/ Alternatively, please send your donation to the Far East Office, Dalgan Park, Navan, Co Meath C15 AY2Y or call 00353 46 909 8275.