BRAC now providing relief to 150,000 people in Pakistan

BRAC Pakistan initiated its relief effort for the flood victims in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, specifically within the communities in which it operates across Peshawar, Charsadda and Nowshera. As the floods moved south, BRAC has expanded its relief work into the provinces of Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan.

Using its community organizers and microfinance credit officers, BRAC Pakistan is now is providing relief to roughly 150,000 people through the following key activities:

• Distribution of relief packages in the immediate aftermath of the floods. These packets include dry food rations of flour and lentils, bottled water and oral rehydration salts. The relief focus has reached over 78,000 individuals.
• In parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, where the flood waters haves receded, BRAC is supporting families returning to flood ravaged homes by providing recovery package that include mosquito nets, plastic mats for sleeping, bottled water and PKS 1,000 in cash grants. So far 4,925 families or 26,000 individuals have been given recovery packages. BRAC is also sinking new tubewells to provide a permanent source of drinking water. So far 73 tubewells have been sunk, and each tubewell serves 50 families.
• BRAC is operating 4 medical camps in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa to provide basic healthcare and promote awareness around water borne diseases. The medical team has treated over 12,252 for injuries, jaundice, malaria, acute diarrhea and respiratory infections.
• Cash grants have been given to 1,195 families (7,700 people).

As the flood waters recede and families move back into their flood-affected homes, BRAC’s rehabilitation efforts will focus on supporting communities through that transition and assisting its microfinance members (who are among the poorest in the community) to restore their livelihoods. Informed by the ongoing survey and assessment of damages incurred by microfinance members, BRAC will work towards rebuilding assets and livelihoods through grants for asset recovery, write off of loans and new microfinance loans.