How to Help the People of Pakistan Amid the Devastating Floods

Pakistan has long been one of the world’s disaster-prone countries due to its regional climate and widespread poverty – and the recent record-breaking monsoon rains to hit the country have caused the worst flooding in its recent history, leaving millions in need of assistance.

Since mid-June, more than 33 million residents of Pakistan (which covers a third of the nation) have been hit by severe climate change-related flash floods. The torrential flooding is said to be the result of monsoon rains and melting glaciers from the region’s dramatic heatwaves, which reached as high as 123 degrees Fahrenheit in April and May prior to the crisis.

In just over eight weeks, the floods have washed away villages – killing nearly 2,000 people – and destroyed millions of acres of land and hundreds of thousands of homes, public health facilities, schools and water systems. Young children and families in Pakistan live outdoors without food or safe drinking water and face new flood-related hazards such as drowning and injuries from damaged infrastructure.

“Pakistan has never experienced a continuous monsoon cycle like this,” said Climate Minister Sherry Rehman. wrote on Twitter in August. “Eight weeks of uninterrupted torrents have submerged vast swathes of the country.”

The climate crisis is here, and it is catastrophic. Find out more below about the local and international nonprofit organizations mobilizing resources to support Pakistan in its recovery efforts and find out how you can donate to the cause.

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UNICEF

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund, a United Nations agency that provides humanitarian and developmental assistance to children, is working with the Government of Pakistan to provide safe drinking water, medical supplies and food, hygiene kits and temporary learning centers for affected families. Donations are accepted to fund these supplies for more families.

save the kids

The British humanitarian organization provides children with resources for better education, health care and economic opportunities. The group has stationed emergency workers in the hard-hit areas of Pakistan in Sikarpur and Jacobabad, where they are distributing temporary shelter, household items and food packages to families. They are currently accepting donations for several emergency responses.

International Rescue Committee

The Rescue Committee provides emergency assistance to refugees from humanitarian crises, with a focus on providing women and girls with clean drinking water, food and hygienic resources for safe sanitation. They accept emergency donations through their website, which go directly to families in Pakistan who need immediate assistance.

MAINTENANCE

The international non-profit organization works to fight poverty and provide widespread access to education by accepting various types of donations by phone, mail or electronic means as direct help to children and families in poverty. Members of the organization are distributing tents, emergency latrine kits, hygiene items and additional emergency supplies to families in Pakistan.

Disaster Emergency Committee

The committee is asking for international assistance to provide emergency shelter, emergency food and safe drinking water to people in need of humanitarian assistance. The UK Government matches every pound donated, up to £5 million, to fund these resources.