Torrential rains over the past week in Pakistan have displaced hundreds of thousands, and left a devastating toll in the country’s northwest as well as parts of Balochistan and Punjab provinces. Authorities estimate that more than 1,100 people are dead, while 1.5 million people have been affected by the disaster. The government has mobilized the army to rescue stranded families, and distribute clean water, food and shelter to those who have lost their homes.

Refugees International is concerned about the scale of the disaster, particularly since Pakistan is in the midst of an ongoing conflict which has already caused 1.3 million people to flee the violence. The Unites States has pledged $10 million and has offered equipment and supplies to the relief effort. The UN and aid agencies are ramping up their efforts and will most probably issue an emergency funding appeal.

The priority should be on immediate distribution of assistance, and the mobilization of existing resources from the Pakistani government as well as local and international aid groups. In the longer term, as Refugees International previously argued, the recurrence of internal displacement in Pakistan both due to natural disasters (such as this year’s monsoon rains) and conflict, point to the urgency of establishing a legislative framework outlining clear responsibilities amongst civilian state institutions and adequate resources to carry out those duties.

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For Immediate Release:  August 2, 2010
Contact: Gabrielle Menezes, +1 202-828-0110 x 225/ 347 260 1393
gabrielle@refugeesinternational.org