20 September 2011
TEAR Fund prepared for Pakistan Floods
When massive floods devastated Pakistan last year affecting over 20 million people, TEAR Fund New Zealand recognised
that this was a complex and protracted disaster which required both emergency action and long term rebuilding of
infrastructure.
TEAR Fund Programme Officer Kevin Riddell visited the badly affected Sindh province of Pakistan in May. “I noted that
there was a serious possibility of more severe flooding during the mid summer rainy season (July to September).” Kevin
reported. “In response to this threat, TEAR Fund NZ released a second grant of funds in June to assist recovering
communities and increase their emergency response capacity.”
The heavy rains started in August and have continued destroying villages and crops. About 5 million people are affected
by the flooding in Sindh province with 22 of the 23 districts overwhelmed. So far the death toll stands at 210. However,
this tragedy had been lessened because TEAR Fund’s partners in the area had been able to swing immediately into action,
Mr. Riddell said.
“Our partners are aiding 1,750 families in Sindh with food, health kits and plastic sheeting and will shortly extend
assistance to over a thousand more.” Mr Riddell said another 10 days of rain were predicted before the clean up and
recovery could begin again.
“TEAR Fund will be there working with local partners to ensure that there’s food, medicine and clean water but more than
that TEAR Fund are committed to the making communities stronger and more resilient.”
Donations for this vital disaster relief work can be made on the TEAR Fund website - www.tearfund.org.nz.
TEAR Fund NZ is a Christian aid and development organisation which works in close partnership with indigenous non-government
organisations and churches in Asia, Africa, Central and South America. TEAR Fund actively changes the lives of the poor
and oppressed through disaster relief, community development, Microenterprise, and child sponsorship. In NZ since 1975,
TEAR Fund is a member of the Council for International Development, the NZ Disaster Relief Forum and has representation
on the Government’s project funding allocation committee.
ENDS