After the heavy rains and floods, Dengue epidemic has broken out in many cities, due to the open dumping of solid and toxic waste, open drainages and block sanitation, the dengue virus spread in different cities including Karachi, Peshawar and slums of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Emergency has been declared by Government Authority, more than 3000 patients have diagnosed so far and authorities have declared emergency in affected cities. In slum areas of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, the number of dengue patients has reached alarming proportion surpassing 450 in the twin cities while over 500 dengue patients have been reported in the private hospitals and clinics according to media reports.
The deputy commissioners have directed the management of hospitals to increase dengue wards immediately. The third party report has declared both sides of Nullah Leh and the areas located at confluence of Rawalpindi and Islamabad as dengue affected areas. Death tool has risen up to 228 [1]and many other injured, heavy rains continue and related incidents reported from different parts of the country including all five provinces i.e. Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The monsoon and the paradigm shift from rural to semi urban and urban areas witnessed in recent years. Horrible pictures and stories are coming from slums, low lying areas from big cities leading in Numbers from Karachi (Biggest city of Pakistan), Hyderabad, Peshawar, Lahore (historical city and capital of biggest province of Punjab). In most of the areas, flood water is receded but stagnant water is still there and creating lot of issues and problems of families affected by floods and now at risk of water borne diseases.
- Key data on affected populations
There is a huge gap of unmet needs of households as majority of attention of media has been diverted to indo-Pak relationship due to which flood affected households are neglected at large. Many of the households were affected in semi and urban settings and no relief and compensation were announced for them. Urgent needs of the communities are dry food, hygiene Kits and awareness sessions, mosquito nets and Repellent to prevent dengue, Shelter Kits and NFIs including kitchen set, Small farmers required support to cultivate next crops, fodder for livestock and Awareness Sessions, fumigation in Dengue affected areas and medical support for Dengue patients.
According to NDMA[1], following is the affected data information:
Caritas Pakistan has started distributions with its own funds and support from philanthropists and organizations working on the ground. Caritas Pakistan Karachi has distributed plastic sheets to affected households as they were spending nights in the open sky. Caritas Pakistan Karachi distributed cooked food to flood affected households with the help of local foundations and philanthropists. 500 cooked distribute among flood affected households. Due to unprecedented floods in Karachi cooked was emerged as urgent needs of the communities. cooked food and drinking water in different rain affected areas i.e. holy Mary Goth, Sujani town, Lyari Sector, Younas Goth and others.
Caritas Pakistan Faisalabad organized distribution in flood affected areas; Food packages were distributed to 40 deserving flood affected households in district Jhang. The distribution was carried out in Government Primary School, which remain safe in floods. Mr. Aneel Mushtaq Diocesan Executive participated in distribution and said that Caritas Pakistan is always there to support the people in need. District Jhang is one of the flood prone areas between two Rivers Jhelum and Chanab. Caritas team organized relief distributions in flood affected areas of Faisalabad Diocese. Affected households 30 food packages, fodder to 15 households and in support 40 small farmers in Jhang.
While speaking to the media, Ms. Bushra bini, a female beneficiary said that “we are very thankful to Caritas Pakistan for meeting our urgent needs without any delay and quality of goods is excellent. This support will help us to cope with flood situation which is still continued till end of September 2019.”
Caritas Pakistan Multan distributed relief packages among 88 beneficiaries (male female). 10 male beneficiaries got Tent, Mosquito Net, Plastic Sheets, and food package. After facing heavy Flood situation in UC Shehr Sultan of District Muzaffargarh, the communities of above mentioned area were in great difficulty regarding their livelihood.
After the provision of Food Package by Caritas Pakistan Multan the people of District Muzaffargarh. Flood Victims were happy and thanked Caritas for providing Food Package.
| S. No | Diocese | Distribution packages | Beneficiaries Numbers |
| 1 | Caritas Pakistan Karachi | Cooked food | 500 households |
| 2 | Caritas Pakistan Faisalabad | Food package, fodder | 95 households |
| 3 | Caritas Pakistan Multan | Food package, tents, mosquito nets | 98 households |
- COORDINATION
Caritas Pakistan is in close coordination with district government departments in relevant affected areas. Caritas Pakistan has conducted meetings with government officials of relevant districts and discussed the losses and damages caused by floods. Government officials have assured full cooperation and will provide security for the relief distribution sites and relief goods. Through CBDRM and other interventions, Caritas Pakistan has already close connections with the local and district government. They were properly involved during the rapid need assessment process through meetings at their offices and field visits in affected communities.
Caritas Pakistan has also built long term relationships with National/Provincial/District Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). Below is the list of important stakeholders;
- District Government,
- Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA),
- UN OCHA
- Philanthropists
- Community Based Organizations and Foundations
Right now there are no CIMOs based in Pakistan, therefore, all information regarding this appeal will be shared through CI and bilateral communication. Caritas Pakistan has made a plan to write to CIMOs have long term interest in Pakistan.
- MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS
There was a lot of media coverage of flood situation and related incidents in Pakistan at National level and criticism was far more than expected on the local government authorities and departments for the poor performances particularly in urban and semi urban areas. Flood water receded from areas which has taken away the attention of media as well. which ultimately led to no compensation from Government as well. Caritas Pakistan is regularly updating the confederation members through updates and reports. Stories of suffering and vulnerabilities are also shared on social media pages of Caritas Pakistan and news bulletin and newsletter as well.
- CONTRIBUTIONS
Caritas Pakistan will continue efforts to mobilize resources to meet the urgent and unmet needs of the affected communities. Distributions of relief packages will continue in affected areas. Regular situation updates will be made available to the confederation members and other stakeholders, seeking support to meet the unmet needs of the affected households to save them from Dengue and other diseases. Join us in helping our flood affected brothers and sisters in need.