Tag Archives: Caritas Pakistan

Earthquake in Iran Pakistan

By Amjad Gulzar, Executive Director Caritas Pakistan

A strong earthquake of 7.8 magnitude hit Pakistan at 15.44 hours (10.44 GMT ) today. The tremors were felt in Islamabad, Lahore, Abbottabad, Peshawar, Hyderabad, Quetta, Multan, Kohat, Hangu, Bannu, Dir and many other areas across Pakistan.

According to Pakistan Meteorological Department the latitude of earthquake was 26.65 North and longitude was 61.60 East with its epicenter in Southern Iran near the Pakistan Iran Boarder.

The tremors spreading panic among the people who came out of their houses for safety. The epicenter is said to be in Iran The worst affected areas in Pakistan is Mashki some 580 Km from Quetta, the provincial capital of Baluchistan in the south west of Pakistan. Travel time from Quetta to Mashaki is around 15-16 hours by road.

Till about an hour back 21 deaths had been reported and over 100 injured in the city of about 30000-35000 population. There is a fear of more causalities as around 70% of the houses have been collapsed and undeveloped area with mostly mud houses.

Being a bordering area of Iran and Pakistan and having Frontier Constabulary (FC) check post there, immediate relief work is being carried out by FC. A camp has been set up and the doctors from FC are providing medical assistance. There are also reports of shortage of medicines.

Caritas Pakistan is getting more information and in coordination with Provincial Disaster Managment Authority – Baluchistan.

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Five million people affected by downpours in Pakistan

A heavy downpour in the last twenty-four hours has caused further flooding in Sindh in southern Pakistan as  monsoon rains affect 4.9 million. Flooding in Baluchistan is causing further misery.

In some of the worst affected areas of Sindh, 166mm of rain fell in a day. Over one million houses have been damaged so far.

Floods in Pakistan in the summer of 2010 were the worst in 80 years.

One-fifth of the country lay underwater, 18 million people struggled to find food and water and to keep a roof over their heads. Sindh was one of the worst affected parts of the country.

Caritas Pakistan’s National Coordinator for disaster Management Eric Dayal said earlier by phone that the current flooding in Sindh was almost the same in severity as last year.

Badin escaped flooding last year, but has been particularly badly hit in 2011. The district administration has set up 142 relief camps at different points to accommodate more than 40,000 displaced people.

Caritas responded last year with food, shelter and medical help.  Caritas spent over US$10.6 million (7.5 million euro) in the first five months alone.

UPDATE: Caritas Pakistan was on the ground since the onset of the emergency. Caritas Pakistan response is focusing on Badin and Tatha in Sindh, Kasur, Mian Chanon, Ranjanpur and Bahwalpur in Punjab.

The diocese of Hyderabad has already distributed 400 tents and 400 food packages. The diocese of Lahore has distributed food packages and has conducted medical camps in Kasur; 500 patients have been treated so far while a total of 2,000 patients have visited the medical camps organised by Caritas Pakistan.

The diocese of Multan has distributed 300 tents and food packages.

Caritas Internationalis Secretary General Michel Roy is travelling to Pakistan on 17 September for one year anniversary commemorations of the 2010 flooding.

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Caritas Pakistan shares joys with flood victims

Haji Suleman and his family. Credit: Kamran Chaudhry/Caritas Pakistan

By Kamran Chaudhry, Communications officer Caritas Pakistan

Jan 28 was a day with a difference for flood victims like Haji Suleman in a relief camp of Karachi , the southern metropolis.

The thumping of a platter gathered jubilant girls adorned in make-up and smiling children at Suleman’s camp as the sounds of merrymaking grew louder. Between the crowd, he sat crossed legged rhythmically moving his arms at the beat. Continue reading

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Caritas Pakistan celebrates its 45th anniversary

By Kamran Chaudhry, Communications officer, Caritas Pakistan

As the country deals with the worst floods in decades, Caritas Pakistan observes 45 years of humanitarian efforts for the indigenous.

The staff of Caritas Pakistan National Secretariat marked Dec. 8 event with prayers at National office in Lahore. The solemn ceremony saw supplications for commitment to the mission and prayers for the flood victims. The United Nations department of Humanitarian Affairs says high level of malnutrition, as high as 40 percent in some parts of the country, are being observed. Continue reading

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Help must continue for flood migrants plead Caritas in Pakistan

A woman sewing together rugs in Gadap Town Karachi. Credit: Kamran Chaudhry/Caritas Pakistan

By Kamran Chaudhry, Communications officer, Caritas Pakistan

Sohni Bibi sat stitching the patches of her tent as evening approached. Her two year old son, barefoot, waited besides as she finished the needlework.

It is now time to push the hearth inside the tents to keep them warm as well as brighten them.

“Cold air gushes inside through the torn walls of our shelter. The blankets available are too short and we have to stitch them together to cover both head and feet”, said Bibi showing a multi-textured quilt spread on packaging material covering the cold grounds. Continue reading

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Cholera and malaria concern for camps in Pakistan

Caritas Pakistan Medical Camp at Basti Chanaawa, Punjap. Credit: Kamran Chaudhry/Caritas

By Kamran Chaudhry, Caritas Pakistan Communications Officer

Spreading waterborne diseases and pregnant women in relief camps are major concerns for Caritas Pakistan.

The World Health Organization has confirmed 99 cases of cholera and 300,000 suspected cases of malaria among displaced populations in the 62 flood-hit districts. Dengue fever has reportedly claimed 12 lives with 1,200 confirmed cases as flood waters recede in Pakistan.

“The health of children is at great risk due to outbreak of waterborne diseases especially cholera and dengue in the post-flood situation. Pregnant women deserve special attention as most of them are anemic and suffering from malnutrition”, said Dr Amjad Yaseen.

He was speaking at Oct. 28 medical camp organised by local unit of Caritas Pakistan Multan diocese at Basti Chanaawar, a village in Punjab province. Women, children and elderly appeared for the checkup as Caritas staff distributed hygiene kits, food and other items at an adjacent building. Continue reading

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Filed under Emergencies, Pakistan floods 2010