Salesians Assist in Pakistan Flood Relief

Salesians Assist in Pakistan Flood Relief

(ANS – Lahore, Pakistan – September 12, 2022) – During the last 3 months, Pakistan was hit by a twofold natural disaster: Himalaya glacier melting and the worst rainfall flood in recorded memory. On August 30, according to the officials, some 1/3 of the country is underwater and 80 of 160 districts were declared a disaster zone. A total of 33 million 0f Pakistan’s 235 million people are affected. So far, floods have brought 1,300 deaths, and 1.8 million houses have been totally destroyed or washed away. Most affected are the regions of northern Pakistan with flash floods, Balochistan (31 districts), Sindh (23 districts), and 3 districts in Punjab.

Around 6 million people need urgent help, some already living in ad hoc camps with very little food and no hygiene and sanitation. This catastrophic impact continues with many cases of disease in camps and villages while there is a lack of medicine (dengue fever, malaria, diarrhea, hepatitis, and typhoid).

Some countries and international charities have already moved to send some help, but the solidarity speed is rather slow. Aside from the much-needed emergency relief, there is need of support for recovery. Also, the UN Secretary-General has made an appeal video. World media present the Pakistan flood as a huge humanitarian crisis driven by climate change: Today Pakistan, tomorrow .... your country.

Don Bosco Education Society in Pakistan receives many help requests from parishes, communities, families, or Don Bosco past pupils. Our Salesian delegation of Pakistan discerned a project addressed to Don Bosco Colony Jacobabad (56 families), Sukkher (40 families), and the Zahid area (42 families). Don Bosco Past Pupils Association in Lahore is involved in this operation, too. Urgently required are tents, shelter kits, food, medicines, blankets, water containers, cooking items, and soap.

During the last 20 years, in Pakistan, Don Bosco Salesians were providential in providing help for earthquake victims in 2005, 2008, and 2010 (emergency relief, food, shelter and medicines, house and schools construction) in Balochistan and Sindh; in helping the flood victims in Sindh region (2012) and humanitarian assistance during the coronavirus pandemic (2020-2021).

For more details on the ground, you may contact the rector of Don Bosco Lahore, Fr. Noble Lal, SDB (noblelal@gmail.com)