Oxfam is a leading international aid agency working with communities around the world for solutions to poverty and social injustice.
Wednesday 4 August 2010
Double catastrophe for people in Pakistan’s Swat
Valley
People in the Swat Valley in Northern Pakistan hit by the catastrophic floods were only just
recovering from the conflict that forced them from their homes last year, said Neva Khan, Oxfam’s
Country Director in Pakistan.
"We are now in a race against time to avert a public health disaster. The countryside is drowning
in an ocean of contaminated water. The very young are at risk of going down with severe
diarrhoea. Given the lack of food, the displacement and their vulnerability, a bout of diarrhoea
could be a death sentence,” Ms Khan said.
“Oxfam is particularly worried about families in the Swat Valley because people were only just
recovering from the crisis last year. People were forced to flee their homes to escape conflict and
had just started to return home and rebuild some sense of normalcy – and then this happened.
The floods are catastrophic.
“Those affected were already vulnerable and mostly poor and now they’ve been made homeless
and in need of help once again.
“People desperately need clean water, food, shelter and healthcare.
“We had contingency supplies in country so were able to respond very quickly but lack of
electricity is causing us real problems. We’re not able to pump water off the mains so have
supplied generators and are doing quick fix repairs to water systems that have been destroyed.
“The rains are very heavy indeed. Whenever it rains the levels rise so fast.
“There are queues and queues of people waiting for clean drinking water. Oxfam is trucking water
in mobile water tanks to reach people who have been living in contaminated sludge for days.”
Oxfam Australia Executive Director Andrew Hewett said Australians had been giving generously
to the agency’s appeal, but more was still needed.
“Oxfam is appealing for $6.6 million to reach 400,000 people with clean water, sanitation kits and
hygiene supplies. The agency is responding now and will also help boost recovery over the long-
term,” Mr Hewett said.
Notes to editors: Oxfam staff in affected areas are available for interview.
Contact in Pakistan: Tariq Masood Malik, Media Communications Officer, +92-3085052976
tariq.malik@oxfamnovib-pakistan.org. Please note: Pakistan time is GMT+5
In Australia: Kate Thwaites, katethwaites@oxfam.org.au, 0407 515 559
$20 will buy one family hygiene kit (soap, washing powder, sanitary cloths, towels, oral rehydration salts,
nail cutter/comb.
$24 will buy one family household kit (plastic bucket, water cooler, floor mats, waste bin, shawls, water
purification)
$80 will buy tools for clearing up (shovel, pick axe, bucket, broom, wheel barrow)
Oxfam has been working in Pakistan since 1973. We support local partners and work with government
authorities to improve the livelihoods of those living in poverty, and provide humanitarian assistance to
those affected by disasters and conflict.
Media Release
NEWS 
