Devastating Earthquake in Pakistan: Malteser International Prepares Emergency Aid

In the wake of the heavy earthquake in Pakistan, Malteser International is supporting the Joint Assessment conducted by the “Pakistan Humanitarian Forum.” The relief efforts include sending a medical doctor to the affected region in Beluchistan where the earthquake caused more than 160 deaths. In the district of Ziarat alone, more than 50,000 people are affected. The Federal Foreign Office of Germany has announced its financial support for the relief activities as well.

To provide emergency relief in the disaster area, Malteser plans to support at least 500 affected families with non-food items like tarpaulins for temporary shelter, drinking water containers and purification tablets. We are also promoting hygiene awareness in the area and distributing family hygiene kits including soap, buckets, bowls, and towels.

Having operated in Pakistan within the districts of Kohistan, Muzaffarabad and Bagh since a severe earthquake struck the region in 2005, Malteser International is uniquely situated to provide relief during this crisis. Malteser's efforts have focused on providing winter-proven temporary shelter, rehabilitating water supply structures, treating patients in remote areas with mobile health teams, and rebuilding Basic Health Units. After the severe floods in Beluchistan in 2007, Malteser International provided disaster relief to 1,000 affected families.

Malteser International Americas asks for your help by making a donation to support our relief efforts in Pakistan and worldwide. Make a commitment by visiting www.maltarelief.org/pakistan to make a secure, tax-deductible online donation today.

New floods in India: Malteser International extends emergency relief for flood victims

"All streets here are flooded; in panic, the people escape onto dams", Annette Wächter-Schneider, Senior Desk Officer for India at Malteser International, currently travelling in the disaster region, reports.

Uttar Pradesh/Cologne. The federal state Uttar Pradesh in northern India is flooded: After further heavy monsoon rains, more than 500,000 m³ of water have been discharged from the overfull dams in neighbouring Nepal.

“All streets here are flooded; in panic, the people escape onto dams”, Annette Wächter-Schneider, Senior Desk Officer for India at Malteser International, currently travelling in the disaster region, reports. Already in 2007, devastating floods had afflicted Uttar Pradesh. “Four weeks ago, we handed out boats to the population - only with these, the people can find refuge on the dams”, Wächter-Schneider says. “As daily labourers, they live from hand to mouth and have no stockpiles. They are now urgently in need of food and further assistance”, the expert underlines.

In the neighbouring federal state Bihar, Malteser International has already been assisting the flood victims on the border with Nepal during the past weeks. In the mid of August, a dam of the river Kosi in Nepal broke and lead to severe floods, amongst others in India. Millions of the poorest people in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and the neighbouring regions are affected by the floods. One of the causes is the heaviest monsoon rain since years. 

Together with the Federal Foreign Office of Germany, Malteser International has already provided around 165,000 Euro for the emergency relief.

You can help with a donation to Malteser International Americas. 

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