Pakistan floods are worst in living memory...and it's still raining

TORONTO, Aug. 12 /CNW/ - The magnitude of the crisis in Pakistan is widening daily. Already, one-fifth of the country has been submerged by the country's worst floods in living memory, which have wiped out homes, farms and villages, and brought devastation to millions of families and children.

According to UN estimates yesterday, 14 million people have been affected by the floods. This is more people than the Tsunami, the Kashmir earthquake and the Haiti earthquake combined.

"This is a disaster on a massive scale and millions of families and children have lost everything" said Rosemary McCarney, President and CEO of Plan Canada.

Where the waters have receded, homes, farms, clinics, schools and entire communities are gone. Families are being split as men escort their families to camps and safe places and then go back to salvage whatever they can from their homes.

"It's extremely dangerous and obviously distressing for all," said McCarney. "Those who have survived face grave conditions, but we can reach them with the essentials to help them get through this crisis."

Plan has been operating in Pakistan since 1997 and responded within hours of the first devastating floods. With relief activities underway in the Punjab and Sindh regions, Plan is providing dry rations, cooked meals, children's food packs and health and hygiene kits to thousands of families. Plan is also arranging for distribution of health kits for newborn babies and expecting mothers and assessing child protection and trauma to ensure that children are assisted in this crisis.

Plan Canada has set up a Pakistan relief fund. Go to www.plancanada.ca.

For further information: Media: Kristy Payne, Media Relations Manager, Plan Canada, 416 920 1654 ext.211, [email protected]