Torrential rains in Pakistan have affected as many as 14 million people, and new waves of flooding could impact hundreds of thousands more. The scale of the crisis is so devastating that no one country can deal with it. The United Nations has launched an appeal calling for $460 million. The US has already pledged a total of $55 million to help flood victims. Refugees International hopes that the US will continue to show leadership among donors, and is asking other governments to show their generosity in meeting their appeal.  Needs are expected to rise, as flood waters recede, and people are in desperate need of clean drinking water, food, and shelter. The combined population of the affected districts is around 43 million.

Refugees International recommends that while the Government of Pakistan, through the National Disaster Management Authority and its Armed Forces, is leading the relief and recovery efforts in flood affected areas, it should coordinate and collaborate closely with the humanitarian organizations on the ground to ensure that people not only receive the aid they need, but also proper protection. Humanitarian agencies must have adequate access to vulnerable populations who have been displaced, especially those in conflict areas.

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.

Refugees International is a Washington, DC-based organization that advocates to end refugee crises and receives no government or UN funding. www.refugeesinternational.org.

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For Immediate Release: August 12, 2010
Contact: Refugees International, Gabrielle Menezes
P: 202-828-0110 x225/ 347 260 1393
gabrielle@refugeesinternational.org