IMC Rushes Emergency Aid to Flood-Affected Areas of Pakistan

Photo: IMC

International Medical Corps paramedics are providing emergency medical services to flood victims in and around Khurassan refugee camp.

Los Angeles, Calif./Peshawar, Pakistan – International Medical Corps (IMC) is providing emergency relief to thousands of people affected by severe flooding in Pakistan’s Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP) early this week. The Pakistani government estimates more than 40 people were killed in the flash floods that hit the country Monday and Tuesday. The death toll could be higher, with a German news agency, Deutsche Press Agentur, reporting that more than 100 were killed. Thousands more have been left homeless by the floods which were triggered by heavy monsoon rains.

The majority of the casualties have been in Northwest Frontier Province and tribal areas along the Afghan border, where thousands of mud houses were swept away in flood waters, along with bridges and crops. International Medical Corps is offering emergency relief to devastated areas in NWFP, where an estimated 70,000 people have been affected by the floods.

“The floods have completely devastated villages and towns along the Kabul River in the suburbs of Peshawar,” says Jehangir Ali Khan, country director for International Medical Corps Pakistan. “Due to the scale of the disaster, the total damage to life and property is still not confirmed. We have been working with the government to assess the damages and provide initial emergency relief to the affected populations.”

International Medical Corps met with government officials in Peshawar, the capital of NWFP, to assess the needs of the affected population. The rapid assessment found the population largely without food or shelter and in immediate need of emergency relief items, like clean drinking water, medicine, and tents.

To aid in the relief effort, IMC is providing medical assistance to Pakistani and Afghan refugee communities around Khurassan Camp, where 90 percent of the homes have been destroyed. For more serious injuries, IMC is transporting patients by ambulance to higher-level health facilities in Peshawar.

Photo: IMC

After two days of heavy monsoon rains, severe flooding washed away thousands of homes. In some areas of the Northwest Frontier Province, where International Medical Corps is providing service, an estimated 90 percent of the homes were destroyed.

International Medical Corps paramedics have already delivered medical assistance to 150 people in and around Khurassan Camp on the first day of assistance. The organization also donated 1,800 IV units to the district health office to use throughout the region.

Torrential rain August 4th through 6th caused severe flooding in northern and eastern Pakistan along the Kabul River basin and other tributaries. While the rain is expected to decline, scattered thunderstorms are still in the forecast for the next couple of days.

Since its inception nearly 25 years ago, International Medical Corps’ mission has been consistent: relieve the suffering of those impacted by war, natural disaster and disease, by delivering vital health care services that focus on training. This approach of helping people help themselves is critical to returning devastated populations to self-reliance. For more information visit our website at www.imcworldwide.org.