Devastation in Pakistan

It is hard to comprehend the scale of destruction in Pakistan at the moment. Your giving to the COCOA Pakistan Appeal is one way of expressing your care and support for those so dreadfully impacted by the disaster.
 

The flooding, the worst in 80 years, is impacting agricultural land with 1.4 million acres affected in central Punjab province. The damage is worst in the north western Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Recent reports from the United Nations indicate that the number of people affected by Pakistan's floods is now estimated to be 13.8 million. While not all may be in need of immediate humanitarian assistance, and the severity of their needs has not yet been fully assessed, the number is a higher figure than those who were affected by the 2005 South Asia tsunami (five million), the 2005 South Asia earthquake (three million), or the 2010 Haiti earthquake (three million). The estimate of homes destroyed or seriously damaged — 290,000 — is almost the same as those destroyed in Haiti. More than two million are now homeless.
 

John Holmes, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator reports, "Needs are huge and still rising. The humanitarian effort  needs to be scaled up accordingly, as fast as we can. The funding needed for humanitarian relief in the coming weeks and months will inevitably be hundreds of millions of dollars."
 

The Pakistani government and UN officials have appealed for more urgent relief efforts to cope with the impact of the flooding. The entire north-western Swat valley, where Pakistan fought a major campaign to flush out Taliban insurgents last year, was cut off at the weekend as were parts of the country's breadbasket in Punjab and Sindh.
 

One of Churches of Christ Overseas Aid’s partners, Church World Service (USA), a member of the Act Alliance, is distributing food packages to affected families at distribution points established in many communities. Packages consist of 44 lbs. each of wheat flour and rice, 4¼ lbs. each of beans and sugar, 10½ cups of cooking oil, 7 oz. of tea, and a box of iodized salt. CWS is identifying beneficiaries for plastic sheeting shelter and other relief. Shelter kits include winterized tents and the plastic sheets, 6 x 4 meters. 
 

Emergency health care is also being provided through a mobile health unit in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Two further mobile health units are being established.
 

In its relief efforts, CWS has ensured strict measures for transparency, quality and accountability standards through its Strengthening Humanitarian Assistance Program.