MEDIA RELEASE
18 AUGUST 2010
Aid Workers in Pakistan Urge Australians -Time is Running Out!
Act for Peace’s partners responding to the floods in Pakistan welcome the Australian
Government’s $25 million increase to the response effort though insist the need is much greater
and time is running out.
Act for Peace, the international aid agency of the National Council of Churches in Australia, is
asking the Australian public to support the response as a matter of urgency.
Marvin Parvez, Regional Direct of Act for Peace’s Pakistan partner said, “We are running out of
time. The people of Pakistan are being forced further into chronic poverty. Cholera and dysentery
are spreading, with further rainfall predicted this week. The massive food, health, shelter, water,
education and livelihood needs are continuing to increase.”
Mr Alistair Gee, Executive Director of Act for Peace said, “At 20 million, the number of flood
victims requiring humanitarian assistance is almost the same as Australia’s population. We are
hoping each Australian will realise that someone just like them needs help.
“The need is not just immediate as the long-term effects of the floods are massive. The
destruction to farming communities alone – now with billions of dollars of lost crops – combined
with the damage to road, health, education, communication, and community infrastructure across
vast stretches of the country is a threat to the core of the entire nation.
“An inadequate response also risks the further opening of space for militant groups who wish to
extend their influence within Pakistan’s fragile democracy”, said Mr Gee.
Act for Peace’s partners in the ACT Alliance have rushed emergency food and medical
assistance to affected communities. They are currently deploying more than 1,600 tons of food
aid to 70,000 people in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkwha and Balochistan. Mobile and fixed
health teams have already provided care to thousands in flood-affected areas.
Our partners are also leading the way on being accountable to affected communities, providing
training for other agencies on accountability and enhancing the dignity of the people affected by
this tragedy.
1800 025 101
For more information or to arrange interviews with project workers on the ground: contact
Edwyn Shiell, 0458 303 515, eshiell@ncca.org.au
NEWS 
