A Pakistani resident drinks water from a hand-pump at a flooded area in Nowshera district, in Northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, in this file photo. (Photo by A. Majeed/AFP)
Caritas Pakistan is mobilizing funds to help 700 Christian families affected by flash floods in Northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
"Christian slums in Islamabad and the adjoining Rawalpindi city are among the most affected. The families have lost household items. They immediately need food, bedding material, hygiene kits," Amjad Gulzar Executive Director Caritas Pakistan told ucanews.com.
A monsoon information center has been established at the national secretariat to coordinate with government departments and U.N. agencies and disseminate information to the seven diocesan units. "Our teams are engaged in assessment of flood affected areas," he said.
Pakistan's army has been deployed in critical areas for rescue services as monsoon season rains have wreaked havoc in the country since June 26.
The National Disaster Management Authority claims 82 people, including children and women, have died while 117 have been injured in rain-related accidents till July 18. At least 116 houses have been damaged, claims its latest situation report.
Gulzar said the authorities become active at the start of such calamities but not much is done to reduce the risk of heavy monsoon rains and flooding.
In 2015, Caritas helped 993 flood affected families with food packages and organized 11 mobile medical camps in the country.
Its diocesan unit in Lahore also trained 770 volunteers on search, rescue and first aid in disaster prone areas.
About 550 Caritas workers are on 30 disaster management committees, according to Caritas Pakistan's latest annual report.
