Emergency fundraising call for Balochistan floods

In Balochistan, 34 districts and at least 360,000 people have been affected, including 238 people killed and 106 people injured as of 27 August 2022, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). More than 700,000 livestock have died across Pakistan, of which some 500,000 are reported in Balochistan province, where livestock are a critical source of sustenance and livelihoods for many families. At least 17,500 houses have been destroyed and another 43,900 houses partially damaged.

In addition to houses and croplands, 1,000 km of roads and 18 bridges have also been damaged and impede access across flood-affected areas. Internet outages have also been reported, with the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority attributing widespread internet cuts in central and northern Pakistan on 19 August to technical faults in the fiberoptic network resulting from the heavy rains and floods.

Of 515 villages assessed, 178 villages reported displacement. Some 20,000 people are reported to be displaced, with 90 percent living with host families. As of the assessment, only 16 percent of the assessed villages reported receiving some assistance. 69 percent of villages reported problems in accessibility.

The top four most affected districts in terms of completely damaged houses are Jhal Magsi, Lasbela, Nushki, and Kachhi.

Lasbela district of Balochistan is experiencing its worst floods in history, with thousands of people left behind in search of rescue and help. Lasbela has been cut off from the outside world for the previous three days, both by road and by phone. It took government rescue organizations three days to reach and rescue people trapped in floodwaters. With the country's crumbling economy and weak infrastructure and governance in Balochistan, we are fearful of losing hundreds of lives if immediate action is not taken.

The primary roadway connecting Lasbela to the rest of the world has been swept away at eight separate spots, stranding hundreds of people traveling from Balochistan to other parts of Pakistan via Lasbela. Hotels are out of food, and shopkeepers don't have much stoke left.

Our volunteers have been on the ground since the flood began, assisting, rallying, and lobbying for immediate action, but the tragedy has outstripped our ability to respond. We are using the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative's data collecting tool Kobotoolbox to gather more specific information from the field.

Data Portal for data collection of Lasbela Floods

We are seeking your help in raising funds to deliver relief activities to the surrounding villages in Lasbela.

What IS IMMEDIATELY REQUIRED?

• Immediate need for Food / Ready-made and ration

• Immediate need for clean drinking water,

• Immediate need for medication

• Immediate need of sheets/blankets

• Immediate need for tents /mosquito nets

• Immediate solar-powered lights/

• Immediate equipment for water storage

• Immediate Medical camps with doctors – as we fear of water-borne diseases

• Immediate house construction material

• Need for resources for business re-start.

• Need for resources for installing solar water pumps for farmers.

• Need for Land leveling/tractor/bulldozer hours to assist farmers in preparing their fields for crop cultivation.

As we write this there are warnings for more rains and floods in the coming few days.

Where is Lasbela? The Lasbela District is adjacent to the northwest of Karachi, (333 degrees direction) Pakistan's economic port of financial turnover.

Who are we?

Welfare Association for New Generation WANG is a Lasbela-based registered non-profit organization activity in community development for the past many years. We have been working with a number of international organizations. Our work is well organized and recognized by our partners, government, and communities. We have around 500 trained volunteers throughout the district on community development who would be engaged in relief activities.

Who is leading this fundraiser?

This fundraising is being led by Qaisar Roonjha, Executive Director of WANG. Qaisar has a master's degree in Sustainable International Development from Brandeis University's Heller School of Social Policy and Management in Massachusetts. Qaisar's work for his native community has been recognized by The Government of Pakistan, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the United Nations Population Fund, the British Council, the Public Health Institute of the United States, the US State department and others. 

If you are donating within Pakistan please transfer your funds to:

MCB Bank

Account Title; WANG Balochistan

Account number. 1244790811006278

IBAN# PK83 MUCB 1244790811006278

Branch Name; MCB Hub, Lasbela

Branch Code; 0057

More Updates: 31/07/2022

Bela tehsil in Lasbela district is particularly hard hit. Where water pouring into the main Porali river shifted its course from the regular river channel towards the east side of Bela, where some of Lasbela's largest rural population is concentrated. The flood has wrecked the district's infrastructure, washing away ready cotton crops, livestock, and solar-powered drilling machines, and causing land to be disturbed. The river has taken away the only source of income for hundreds of households in Bela's east side community.

According to our assessment, 74 percent of the population has lost their homes because most of these structures are composed of mud and have been shaken by persistent rains and rising water levels.

Hundreds of villagers in Bela are now suffering and in desperate need of assistance. The main road connecting Lasbela to the rest of the world has been swept away at eight different locations. A temporary route has been built, but with more rain seasons coming shortly, the road may become blocked again in the following days.

Our data analysis indicates that if immediate relief and rehabilitation steps are not performed, hundreds of families would slip into lifetime poverty because their source of income has been disrupted, leaving them resourceless and roofless. More long-term solutions are needed for Lasbela inhabitants' alleviation and recovery.

Please check our call for collaborative action here; https://wang.org.pk/lf

More