MEDIA RELEASE: Aid Workers in Pakistan Urge Australians -Time is Running Out!
18/08/2010 9:54:15 AM
Act for Peace’s partners responding to the floods in Pakistan welcome
the Australian Government’s $25 million increase to the response effort
though insist the need is much greater and time is running out.
Act for Peace, the international aid agency of the National Council of
Churches in Australia, is asking the Australian public to support the
response as a matter of urgency.
Marvin Parvez, Regional Direct of Act for Peace’s Pakistan partner said,
“We are running out of time. The people of Pakistan are being forced
further into chronic poverty. Cholera and dysentery are spreading, with
further rainfall predicted this week. The massive food, health, shelter,
water, education and livelihood needs are continuing to increase.”
Mr Alistair Gee, Executive Director of Act for Peace said, “At 20
million, the number of flood victims requiring humanitarian assistance
is almost the same as Australia’s population. We are hoping each
Australian will realise that someone just like them needs help.
“The need is not just immediate as the long-term effects of the floods
are massive. The destruction to farming communities alone – now with
billions of dollars of lost crops – combined with the damage to road,
health, education, communication, and community infrastructure across
vast stretches of the country is a threat to the core of the entire
nation.
“An inadequate response also risks the further opening of space for
militant groups who wish to extend their influence within Pakistan’s
fragile democracy”, said Mr Gee.
Act for Peace’s partners in the ACT Alliance have rushed emergency food
and medical assistance to affected communities. They are currently
deploying more than 1,600 tons of food aid to 70,000 people in the
provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkwha and Balochistan. Mobile and fixed health
teams have already provided care to thousands in flood-affected areas.
Our partners are leading the way on being accountable to affected
communities, providing training for other agencies on accountability and
enhancing the dignity of the people affected by this tragedy.
For more information or to arrange interviews with project workers on
the ground: contact Edwyn Shiell, 0458 303 515, eshiell@ncca.org.au
