other_contacts changed.
region: Middle East -> South Asia

notes: From RELIEF WEB: Floods in Pakistan: Handicap International intensifies its emergency relief activities Source: Handicap International Date: 10 Aug 2010 Montréal, 10 August 2010 – Handicap International has been providing relief to the victims of the current flooding in Pakistan for almost a week. The water distribution and clear-up activities set up by the organisation immediately after the start of the floods are continuing. The distribution of hygiene kits is also gradually being expanded. According to the United Nations, almost 14 million people are expected to be affected by the flooding, the worst since 1929. The situation in Pakistan has seriously deteriorated over the last week, with heavy rainfall worsening the flooding in the north-west and south of the country. The Pakistani government has recognised that it is facing a natural disaster on a far greater scale than the 2005 earthquake. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates the number of victims at around 14 million in the provinces of Baluchistan, Khyber Paktunkhwa, Sind and Punjab. The disaster has so far claimed more than 1,500 lives and destroyed over 290,000 homes. "During a natural disaster like the one currently affecting Pakistan, you're faced with an ongoing emergency", explains Stéphane Lobjois, head of mission for Handicap International in Pakistan. "For the last 13 days we have experienced a highly critical situation in which the population's suffering has shown no signs of abating and the situation is not improving." On 2 August, Handicap International decided to release about $135,000 in general funds to ensure a swift response to the natural disaster. Handicap International's Emergency Response Department acted very quickly to organise the distribution of clean drinking water, a key factor in preventing the spread of epidemics, in particular cholera. Drinking water is still being distributed in the area. Handicap International is also helping people access water by repairing water supply systems (pumps) destroyed by the flooding. The organisation has also begun distributing 7,000 kits*, enabling families to purify and store water, and to wash and cook. A clean-up project has also begun in the districts of Hangu, Swat and Kohat. Handicap International is involving local people in clearing away the waste and debris swept along by the floods and removing stagnant water from towns, enabling the population to return to the area and limiting the spread of disease. This project should soon be extended to other areas. Present in the country since the 2005 earthquake, Handicap International runs several projects in Pakistan and has launched two large-scale emergency operations in the past, most recently in 2009 when three million people fled fighting in the Swat Valley. The organisation was therefore already present in the regions affected by the flooding. Handicap International currently has a team of around 150 people on the ground. * 3,000 hygiene packs (soap, towels, toothpaste, cotton wool, mosquito repellent, etc.); 3,000 water treatment and storage packs (bucket, jerrycan, glasses, etc.); 1,000 cooking packs (saucepans, plates, etc.) ------------------------------------- From RELIEF WEB: Providing access to clean drinking water for flood victims Source: Handicap International Date: 06 Aug 2010 Handicap International has begun distributing humanitarian aid in the flood-affected areas of Pakistan. Present in the country since 2005, we were able to immediately mobilise our team in aid of the most vulnerable people. Handicap International's teams in Pakistan have taken immediate action in response to the devastating floods - the worst since 1929 - that have struck the region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the north west of the country. The disaster has so far affected 4.5 million people, claiming more than 1,500 lives and destroying more than 150,000 homes. 550,000 people have been evacuated from Sind and Punjab provinces. Our teams were already present in the north west of the country before the disaster, helping people displaced by the fighting between the Taliban and the Pakistani army in 2009. Handicap International decided on Monday to release £83,000 of funding to ensure action is taken immediately. Drinking water distribution will begin today (Friday 6th August). The distribution of emergency kits (blankets, shelters, etc.) has already begun and will be scaled up over the next few days in the districts of Swat and Kohat. Avoiding cholera epidemics Handicap International is focusing primarily on providing access to clean drinking water, a key factor in preventing the development of epidemics, particularly cholera, which can easily spread in a flood situation where water sources are contaminated. Our initial goal is to distribute clean drinking water to 100,000 people, requiring 200 rounds a month by water tankers. Water treatment tablets will also be distributed along with jerrycans for collecting and storing clean water. Handicap International teams will give simple hygiene advice to the population that can help prevent the spread of epidemics. In addition, we will provide the most vulnerable people with temporary shelters (sheets), blankets, cooking kits* and hygiene kits**. Some 3,000 families will benefit, representing around 21,000 people in total. Our teams will also help clear up the waste and debris swept along by the floods, and remove stagnant water from towns, enabling the population to return and limiting the spread of disease. Handicap International has been present in Pakistan since 2005, since the deadly earthquake that killed 73,000 people and seriously injured 69,000 others. Our organisation has built up extensive expertise in emergency situations, including in El Salvador and India (2001), Iran (2004), Pakistan (2005), Indonesia (2005 and 2009), China (2008 and 2010), and Haiti (2010) to mention just our most recent operations. *Cooking kits contain saucepans, stoves, cooking utensils, etc. ** Hygiene kits contain basic items such as towels, soap, toothpaste, tooth brushes, nappies, sanitary towels, rubbish bags, etc.) ------------------------------------- From the SITE: August 03 2010. In the aftermath of the disaster / FLOODING IN PAKISTAN: HANDICAP INTERNATIONAL TAKES ACTION Present in Pakistan since 2005, Handicap International is organizing a rapid response to aid victims of the flooding currently ravaging parts of the country's northwestern region. The organization has released $131,800 in funds and it has set up a system to meet the basic needs of victims as quickly as possible. For the last three days, the region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan has been hit hard by the most serious flooding seen in the country since 1929. More than 3 million people have been affected by the disaster, which has left more than 1,500 people dead. Many areas have witnessed a total breakdown in communications. The three most severely affected districts are Charsadda, Nowshera and Swat, and many areas are cut off from supplies of humanitarian aid. Present in the country since the earthquake of 2005, Handicap International operates several projects and it has already launched two large-scale emergency operations, most recently in 2009 when 3 million people fled fighting in the Swat Valley. The organization was already present in the regions affected by the flooding. Handicap International's Emergency Response Department has asked its team in Pakistan to organize an emergency response and to coordinate its efforts with other humanitarian aid operators in the field. The scope of the emergency response will be based on the outcome of an assessment mission currently underway. On Monday, the organization released $131,800 in funds to ensure action is taken immediately. Priority will be given to providing access to water, meeting basic needs (blankets, shelters, etc.), and providing health care. Handicap International's field team currently consists of some 150 people, including seven expatriate staff members: a physiotherapist, a psychosocial project officer, the manager of the Peshawar base, an administrator, a logistician, a safety adviser and a head of mission. The team provides health care to vulnerable people affected by conflict, technical mobility aids, psychosocial services and packs to meet their basic needs. In addition, Handicap International improves and builds new health care facilities and ensures they are accessible to vulnerable people. Lastly, the organization raises awareness among people who are at risk from explosive devices. It is currently doing everything possible to provide relief to flood victims and to meet their most pressing needs. -> FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/HandicapInternationalUnitedStates TWITTER: http://twitter.com/HI_UnitedStates --------------------------------------- From RELIEF WEB: Floods in Pakistan: Handicap International intensifies its emergency relief activities Source: Handicap International Date: 10 Aug 2010 Montréal, 10 August 2010 – Handicap International has been providing relief to the victims of the current flooding in Pakistan for almost a week. The water distribution and clear-up activities set up by the organisation immediately after the start of the floods are continuing. The distribution of hygiene kits is also gradually being expanded. According to the United Nations, almost 14 million people are expected to be affected by the flooding, the worst since 1929. The situation in Pakistan has seriously deteriorated over the last week, with heavy rainfall worsening the flooding in the north-west and south of the country. The Pakistani government has recognised that it is facing a natural disaster on a far greater scale than the 2005 earthquake. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates the number of victims at around 14 million in the provinces of Baluchistan, Khyber Paktunkhwa, Sind and Punjab. The disaster has so far claimed more than 1,500 lives and destroyed over 290,000 homes. "During a natural disaster like the one currently affecting Pakistan, you're faced with an ongoing emergency", explains Stéphane Lobjois, head of mission for Handicap International in Pakistan. "For the last 13 days we have experienced a highly critical situation in which the population's suffering has shown no signs of abating and the situation is not improving." On 2 August, Handicap International decided to release about $135,000 in general funds to ensure a swift response to the natural disaster. Handicap International's Emergency Response Department acted very quickly to organise the distribution of clean drinking water, a key factor in preventing the spread of epidemics, in particular cholera. Drinking water is still being distributed in the area. Handicap International is also helping people access water by repairing water supply systems (pumps) destroyed by the flooding. The organisation has also begun distributing 7,000 kits*, enabling families to purify and store water, and to wash and cook. A clean-up project has also begun in the districts of Hangu, Swat and Kohat. Handicap International is involving local people in clearing away the waste and debris swept along by the floods and removing stagnant water from towns, enabling the population to return to the area and limiting the spread of disease. This project should soon be extended to other areas. Present in the country since the 2005 earthquake, Handicap International runs several projects in Pakistan and has launched two large-scale emergency operations in the past, most recently in 2009 when three million people fled fighting in the Swat Valley. The organisation was therefore already present in the regions affected by the flooding. Handicap International currently has a team of around 150 people on the ground. * 3,000 hygiene packs (soap, towels, toothpaste, cotton wool, mosquito repellent, etc.); 3,000 water treatment and storage packs (bucket, jerrycan, glasses, etc.); 1,000 cooking packs (saucepans, plates, etc.) ------------------------------------- From RELIEF WEB: Providing access to clean drinking water for flood victims Source: Handicap International Date: 06 Aug 2010 Handicap International has begun distributing humanitarian aid in the flood-affected areas of Pakistan. Present in the country since 2005, we were able to immediately mobilise our team in aid of the most vulnerable people. Handicap International's teams in Pakistan have taken immediate action in response to the devastating floods - the worst since 1929 - that have struck the region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the north west of the country. The disaster has so far affected 4.5 million people, claiming more than 1,500 lives and destroying more than 150,000 homes. 550,000 people have been evacuated from Sind and Punjab provinces. Our teams were already present in the north west of the country before the disaster, helping people displaced by the fighting between the Taliban and the Pakistani army in 2009. Handicap International decided on Monday to release £83,000 of funding to ensure action is taken immediately. Drinking water distribution will begin today (Friday 6th August). The distribution of emergency kits (blankets, shelters, etc.) has already begun and will be scaled up over the next few days in the districts of Swat and Kohat. Avoiding cholera epidemics Handicap International is focusing primarily on providing access to clean drinking water, a key factor in preventing the development of epidemics, particularly cholera, which can easily spread in a flood situation where water sources are contaminated. Our initial goal is to distribute clean drinking water to 100,000 people, requiring 200 rounds a month by water tankers. Water treatment tablets will also be distributed along with jerrycans for collecting and storing clean water. Handicap International teams will give simple hygiene advice to the population that can help prevent the spread of epidemics. In addition, we will provide the most vulnerable people with temporary shelters (sheets), blankets, cooking kits* and hygiene kits**. Some 3,000 families will benefit, representing around 21,000 people in total. Our teams will also help clear up the waste and debris swept along by the floods, and remove stagnant water from towns, enabling the population to return and limiting the spread of disease. Handicap International has been present in Pakistan since 2005, since the deadly earthquake that killed 73,000 people and seriously injured 69,000 others. Our organisation has built up extensive expertise in emergency situations, including in El Salvador and India (2001), Iran (2004), Pakistan (2005), Indonesia (2005 and 2009), China (2008 and 2010), and Haiti (2010) to mention just our most recent operations. *Cooking kits contain saucepans, stoves, cooking utensils, etc. ** Hygiene kits contain basic items such as towels, soap, toothpaste, tooth brushes, nappies, sanitary towels, rubbish bags, etc.) ------------------------------------- From the SITE: August 03 2010. In the aftermath of the disaster / FLOODING IN PAKISTAN: HANDICAP INTERNATIONAL TAKES ACTION Present in Pakistan since 2005, Handicap International is organizing a rapid response to aid victims of the flooding currently ravaging parts of the country's northwestern region. The organization has released $131,800 in funds and it has set up a system to meet the basic needs of victims as quickly as possible. For the last three days, the region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan has been hit hard by the most serious flooding seen in the country since 1929. More than 3 million people have been affected by the disaster, which has left more than 1,500 people dead. Many areas have witnessed a total breakdown in communications. The three most severely affected districts are Charsadda, Nowshera and Swat, and many areas are cut off from supplies of humanitarian aid. Present in the country since the earthquake of 2005, Handicap International operates several projects and it has already launched two large-scale emergency operations, most recently in 2009 when 3 million people fled fighting in the Swat Valley. The organization was already present in the regions affected by the flooding. Handicap International's Emergency Response Department has asked its team in Pakistan to organize an emergency response and to coordinate its efforts with other humanitarian aid operators in the field. The scope of the emergency response will be based on the outcome of an assessment mission currently underway. On Monday, the organization released $131,800 in funds to ensure action is taken immediately. Priority will be given to providing access to water, meeting basic needs (blankets, shelters, etc.), and providing health care. Handicap International's field team currently consists of some 150 people, including seven expatriate staff members: a physiotherapist, a psychosocial project officer, the manager of the Peshawar base, an administrator, a logistician, a safety adviser and a head of mission. The team provides health care to vulnerable people affected by conflict, technical mobility aids, psychosocial services and packs to meet their basic needs. In addition, Handicap International improves and builds new health care facilities and ensures they are accessible to vulnerable people. Lastly, the organization raises awareness among people who are at risk from explosive devices. It is currently doing everything possible to provide relief to flood victims and to meet their most pressing needs.

name: Handicap International - 2010 Pakistan Floods -> Handicap International - 2010 Pakistan Floods / Armed Conflict
notes: From RELIEF WEB: Floods in Pakistan: Handicap International intensifies its emergency relief activities Source: Handicap International Date: 10 Aug 2010 Montréal, 10 August 2010 – Handicap International has been providing relief to the victims of the current flooding in Pakistan for almost a week. The water distribution and clear-up activities set up by the organisation immediately after the start of the floods are continuing. The distribution of hygiene kits is also gradually being expanded. According to the United Nations, almost 14 million people are expected to be affected by the flooding, the worst since 1929. The situation in Pakistan has seriously deteriorated over the last week, with heavy rainfall worsening the flooding in the north-west and south of the country. The Pakistani government has recognised that it is facing a natural disaster on a far greater scale than the 2005 earthquake. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates the number of victims at around 14 million in the provinces of Baluchistan, Khyber Paktunkhwa, Sind and Punjab. The disaster has so far claimed more than 1,500 lives and destroyed over 290,000 homes. "During a natural disaster like the one currently affecting Pakistan, you're faced with an ongoing emergency", explains Stéphane Lobjois, head of mission for Handicap International in Pakistan. "For the last 13 days we have experienced a highly critical situation in which the population's suffering has shown no signs of abating and the situation is not improving." On 2 August, Handicap International decided to release about $135,000 in general funds to ensure a swift response to the natural disaster. Handicap International's Emergency Response Department acted very quickly to organise the distribution of clean drinking water, a key factor in preventing the spread of epidemics, in particular cholera. Drinking water is still being distributed in the area. Handicap International is also helping people access water by repairing water supply systems (pumps) destroyed by the flooding. The organisation has also begun distributing 7,000 kits*, enabling families to purify and store water, and to wash and cook. A clean-up project has also begun in the districts of Hangu, Swat and Kohat. Handicap International is involving local people in clearing away the waste and debris swept along by the floods and removing stagnant water from towns, enabling the population to return to the area and limiting the spread of disease. This project should soon be extended to other areas. Present in the country since the 2005 earthquake, Handicap International runs several projects in Pakistan and has launched two large-scale emergency operations in the past, most recently in 2009 when three million people fled fighting in the Swat Valley. The organisation was therefore already present in the regions affected by the flooding. Handicap International currently has a team of around 150 people on the ground. * 3,000 hygiene packs (soap, towels, toothpaste, cotton wool, mosquito repellent, etc.); 3,000 water treatment and storage packs (bucket, jerrycan, glasses, etc.); 1,000 cooking packs (saucepans, plates, etc.) ------------------------------------- From RELIEF WEB: Providing access to clean drinking water for flood victims Source: Handicap International Date: 06 Aug 2010 Handicap International has begun distributing humanitarian aid in the flood-affected areas of Pakistan. Present in the country since 2005, we were able to immediately mobilise our team in aid of the most vulnerable people. Handicap International's teams in Pakistan have taken immediate action in response to the devastating floods - the worst since 1929 - that have struck the region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the north west of the country. The disaster has so far affected 4.5 million people, claiming more than 1,500 lives and destroying more than 150,000 homes. 550,000 people have been evacuated from Sind and Punjab provinces. Our teams were already present in the north west of the country before the disaster, helping people displaced by the fighting between the Taliban and the Pakistani army in 2009. Handicap International decided on Monday to release £83,000 of funding to ensure action is taken immediately. Drinking water distribution will begin today (Friday 6th August). The distribution of emergency kits (blankets, shelters, etc.) has already begun and will be scaled up over the next few days in the districts of Swat and Kohat. Avoiding cholera epidemics Handicap International is focusing primarily on providing access to clean drinking water, a key factor in preventing the development of epidemics, particularly cholera, which can easily spread in a flood situation where water sources are contaminated. Our initial goal is to distribute clean drinking water to 100,000 people, requiring 200 rounds a month by water tankers. Water treatment tablets will also be distributed along with jerrycans for collecting and storing clean water. Handicap International teams will give simple hygiene advice to the population that can help prevent the spread of epidemics. In addition, we will provide the most vulnerable people with temporary shelters (sheets), blankets, cooking kits* and hygiene kits**. Some 3,000 families will benefit, representing around 21,000 people in total. Our teams will also help clear up the waste and debris swept along by the floods, and remove stagnant water from towns, enabling the population to return and limiting the spread of disease. Handicap International has been present in Pakistan since 2005, since the deadly earthquake that killed 73,000 people and seriously injured 69,000 others. Our organisation has built up extensive expertise in emergency situations, including in El Salvador and India (2001), Iran (2004), Pakistan (2005), Indonesia (2005 and 2009), China (2008 and 2010), and Haiti (2010) to mention just our most recent operations. *Cooking kits contain saucepans, stoves, cooking utensils, etc. ** Hygiene kits contain basic items such as towels, soap, toothpaste, tooth brushes, nappies, sanitary towels, rubbish bags, etc.) -> From RELIEF WEB: Floods in Pakistan: Handicap International intensifies its emergency relief activities Source: Handicap International Date: 10 Aug 2010 Montréal, 10 August 2010 – Handicap International has been providing relief to the victims of the current flooding in Pakistan for almost a week. The water distribution and clear-up activities set up by the organisation immediately after the start of the floods are continuing. The distribution of hygiene kits is also gradually being expanded. According to the United Nations, almost 14 million people are expected to be affected by the flooding, the worst since 1929. The situation in Pakistan has seriously deteriorated over the last week, with heavy rainfall worsening the flooding in the north-west and south of the country. The Pakistani government has recognised that it is facing a natural disaster on a far greater scale than the 2005 earthquake. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates the number of victims at around 14 million in the provinces of Baluchistan, Khyber Paktunkhwa, Sind and Punjab. The disaster has so far claimed more than 1,500 lives and destroyed over 290,000 homes. "During a natural disaster like the one currently affecting Pakistan, you're faced with an ongoing emergency", explains Stéphane Lobjois, head of mission for Handicap International in Pakistan. "For the last 13 days we have experienced a highly critical situation in which the population's suffering has shown no signs of abating and the situation is not improving." On 2 August, Handicap International decided to release about $135,000 in general funds to ensure a swift response to the natural disaster. Handicap International's Emergency Response Department acted very quickly to organise the distribution of clean drinking water, a key factor in preventing the spread of epidemics, in particular cholera. Drinking water is still being distributed in the area. Handicap International is also helping people access water by repairing water supply systems (pumps) destroyed by the flooding. The organisation has also begun distributing 7,000 kits*, enabling families to purify and store water, and to wash and cook. A clean-up project has also begun in the districts of Hangu, Swat and Kohat. Handicap International is involving local people in clearing away the waste and debris swept along by the floods and removing stagnant water from towns, enabling the population to return to the area and limiting the spread of disease. This project should soon be extended to other areas. Present in the country since the 2005 earthquake, Handicap International runs several projects in Pakistan and has launched two large-scale emergency operations in the past, most recently in 2009 when three million people fled fighting in the Swat Valley. The organisation was therefore already present in the regions affected by the flooding. Handicap International currently has a team of around 150 people on the ground. * 3,000 hygiene packs (soap, towels, toothpaste, cotton wool, mosquito repellent, etc.); 3,000 water treatment and storage packs (bucket, jerrycan, glasses, etc.); 1,000 cooking packs (saucepans, plates, etc.) ------------------------------------- From RELIEF WEB: Providing access to clean drinking water for flood victims Source: Handicap International Date: 06 Aug 2010 Handicap International has begun distributing humanitarian aid in the flood-affected areas of Pakistan. Present in the country since 2005, we were able to immediately mobilise our team in aid of the most vulnerable people. Handicap International's teams in Pakistan have taken immediate action in response to the devastating floods - the worst since 1929 - that have struck the region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the north west of the country. The disaster has so far affected 4.5 million people, claiming more than 1,500 lives and destroying more than 150,000 homes. 550,000 people have been evacuated from Sind and Punjab provinces. Our teams were already present in the north west of the country before the disaster, helping people displaced by the fighting between the Taliban and the Pakistani army in 2009. Handicap International decided on Monday to release £83,000 of funding to ensure action is taken immediately. Drinking water distribution will begin today (Friday 6th August). The distribution of emergency kits (blankets, shelters, etc.) has already begun and will be scaled up over the next few days in the districts of Swat and Kohat. Avoiding cholera epidemics Handicap International is focusing primarily on providing access to clean drinking water, a key factor in preventing the development of epidemics, particularly cholera, which can easily spread in a flood situation where water sources are contaminated. Our initial goal is to distribute clean drinking water to 100,000 people, requiring 200 rounds a month by water tankers. Water treatment tablets will also be distributed along with jerrycans for collecting and storing clean water. Handicap International teams will give simple hygiene advice to the population that can help prevent the spread of epidemics. In addition, we will provide the most vulnerable people with temporary shelters (sheets), blankets, cooking kits* and hygiene kits**. Some 3,000 families will benefit, representing around 21,000 people in total. Our teams will also help clear up the waste and debris swept along by the floods, and remove stagnant water from towns, enabling the population to return and limiting the spread of disease. Handicap International has been present in Pakistan since 2005, since the deadly earthquake that killed 73,000 people and seriously injured 69,000 others. Our organisation has built up extensive expertise in emergency situations, including in El Salvador and India (2001), Iran (2004), Pakistan (2005), Indonesia (2005 and 2009), China (2008 and 2010), and Haiti (2010) to mention just our most recent operations. *Cooking kits contain saucepans, stoves, cooking utensils, etc. ** Hygiene kits contain basic items such as towels, soap, toothpaste, tooth brushes, nappies, sanitary towels, rubbish bags, etc.) ------------------------------------- From the SITE: August 03 2010. In the aftermath of the disaster / FLOODING IN PAKISTAN: HANDICAP INTERNATIONAL TAKES ACTION Present in Pakistan since 2005, Handicap International is organizing a rapid response to aid victims of the flooding currently ravaging parts of the country's northwestern region. The organization has released $131,800 in funds and it has set up a system to meet the basic needs of victims as quickly as possible. For the last three days, the region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan has been hit hard by the most serious flooding seen in the country since 1929. More than 3 million people have been affected by the disaster, which has left more than 1,500 people dead. Many areas have witnessed a total breakdown in communications. The three most severely affected districts are Charsadda, Nowshera and Swat, and many areas are cut off from supplies of humanitarian aid. Present in the country since the earthquake of 2005, Handicap International operates several projects and it has already launched two large-scale emergency operations, most recently in 2009 when 3 million people fled fighting in the Swat Valley. The organization was already present in the regions affected by the flooding. Handicap International's Emergency Response Department has asked its team in Pakistan to organize an emergency response and to coordinate its efforts with other humanitarian aid operators in the field. The scope of the emergency response will be based on the outcome of an assessment mission currently underway. On Monday, the organization released $131,800 in funds to ensure action is taken immediately. Priority will be given to providing access to water, meeting basic needs (blankets, shelters, etc.), and providing health care. Handicap International's field team currently consists of some 150 people, including seven expatriate staff members: a physiotherapist, a psychosocial project officer, the manager of the Peshawar base, an administrator, a logistician, a safety adviser and a head of mission. The team provides health care to vulnerable people affected by conflict, technical mobility aids, psychosocial services and packs to meet their basic needs. In addition, Handicap International improves and builds new health care facilities and ensures they are accessible to vulnerable people. Lastly, the organization raises awareness among people who are at risk from explosive devices. It is currently doing everything possible to provide relief to flood victims and to meet their most pressing needs.
website: -> http://www.handicap-international.us/

notes: Providing access to clean drinking water for flood victims Source: Handicap International Date: 06 Aug 2010 Handicap International has begun distributing humanitarian aid in the flood-affected areas of Pakistan. Present in the country since 2005, we were able to immediately mobilise our team in aid of the most vulnerable people. Handicap International's teams in Pakistan have taken immediate action in response to the devastating floods - the worst since 1929 - that have struck the region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the north west of the country. The disaster has so far affected 4.5 million people, claiming more than 1,500 lives and destroying more than 150,000 homes. 550,000 people have been evacuated from Sind and Punjab provinces. Our teams were already present in the north west of the country before the disaster, helping people displaced by the fighting between the Taliban and the Pakistani army in 2009. Handicap International decided on Monday to release £83,000 of funding to ensure action is taken immediately. Drinking water distribution will begin today (Friday 6th August). The distribution of emergency kits (blankets, shelters, etc.) has already begun and will be scaled up over the next few days in the districts of Swat and Kohat. Avoiding cholera epidemics Handicap International is focusing primarily on providing access to clean drinking water, a key factor in preventing the development of epidemics, particularly cholera, which can easily spread in a flood situation where water sources are contaminated. Our initial goal is to distribute clean drinking water to 100,000 people, requiring 200 rounds a month by water tankers. Water treatment tablets will also be distributed along with jerrycans for collecting and storing clean water. Handicap International teams will give simple hygiene advice to the population that can help prevent the spread of epidemics. In addition, we will provide the most vulnerable people with temporary shelters (sheets), blankets, cooking kits* and hygiene kits**. Some 3,000 families will benefit, representing around 21,000 people in total. Our teams will also help clear up the waste and debris swept along by the floods, and remove stagnant water from towns, enabling the population to return and limiting the spread of disease. Handicap International has been present in Pakistan since 2005, since the deadly earthquake that killed 73,000 people and seriously injured 69,000 others. Our organisation has built up extensive expertise in emergency situations, including in El Salvador and India (2001), Iran (2004), Pakistan (2005), Indonesia (2005 and 2009), China (2008 and 2010), and Haiti (2010) to mention just our most recent operations. *Cooking kits contain saucepans, stoves, cooking utensils, etc. ** Hygiene kits contain basic items such as towels, soap, toothpaste, tooth brushes, nappies, sanitary towels, rubbish bags, etc.) -> From RELIEF WEB: Floods in Pakistan: Handicap International intensifies its emergency relief activities Source: Handicap International Date: 10 Aug 2010 Montréal, 10 August 2010 – Handicap International has been providing relief to the victims of the current flooding in Pakistan for almost a week. The water distribution and clear-up activities set up by the organisation immediately after the start of the floods are continuing. The distribution of hygiene kits is also gradually being expanded. According to the United Nations, almost 14 million people are expected to be affected by the flooding, the worst since 1929. The situation in Pakistan has seriously deteriorated over the last week, with heavy rainfall worsening the flooding in the north-west and south of the country. The Pakistani government has recognised that it is facing a natural disaster on a far greater scale than the 2005 earthquake. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates the number of victims at around 14 million in the provinces of Baluchistan, Khyber Paktunkhwa, Sind and Punjab. The disaster has so far claimed more than 1,500 lives and destroyed over 290,000 homes. "During a natural disaster like the one currently affecting Pakistan, you're faced with an ongoing emergency", explains Stéphane Lobjois, head of mission for Handicap International in Pakistan. "For the last 13 days we have experienced a highly critical situation in which the population's suffering has shown no signs of abating and the situation is not improving." On 2 August, Handicap International decided to release about $135,000 in general funds to ensure a swift response to the natural disaster. Handicap International's Emergency Response Department acted very quickly to organise the distribution of clean drinking water, a key factor in preventing the spread of epidemics, in particular cholera. Drinking water is still being distributed in the area. Handicap International is also helping people access water by repairing water supply systems (pumps) destroyed by the flooding. The organisation has also begun distributing 7,000 kits*, enabling families to purify and store water, and to wash and cook. A clean-up project has also begun in the districts of Hangu, Swat and Kohat. Handicap International is involving local people in clearing away the waste and debris swept along by the floods and removing stagnant water from towns, enabling the population to return to the area and limiting the spread of disease. This project should soon be extended to other areas. Present in the country since the 2005 earthquake, Handicap International runs several projects in Pakistan and has launched two large-scale emergency operations in the past, most recently in 2009 when three million people fled fighting in the Swat Valley. The organisation was therefore already present in the regions affected by the flooding. Handicap International currently has a team of around 150 people on the ground. * 3,000 hygiene packs (soap, towels, toothpaste, cotton wool, mosquito repellent, etc.); 3,000 water treatment and storage packs (bucket, jerrycan, glasses, etc.); 1,000 cooking packs (saucepans, plates, etc.) ------------------------------------- From RELIEF WEB: Providing access to clean drinking water for flood victims Source: Handicap International Date: 06 Aug 2010 Handicap International has begun distributing humanitarian aid in the flood-affected areas of Pakistan. Present in the country since 2005, we were able to immediately mobilise our team in aid of the most vulnerable people. Handicap International's teams in Pakistan have taken immediate action in response to the devastating floods - the worst since 1929 - that have struck the region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the north west of the country. The disaster has so far affected 4.5 million people, claiming more than 1,500 lives and destroying more than 150,000 homes. 550,000 people have been evacuated from Sind and Punjab provinces. Our teams were already present in the north west of the country before the disaster, helping people displaced by the fighting between the Taliban and the Pakistani army in 2009. Handicap International decided on Monday to release £83,000 of funding to ensure action is taken immediately. Drinking water distribution will begin today (Friday 6th August). The distribution of emergency kits (blankets, shelters, etc.) has already begun and will be scaled up over the next few days in the districts of Swat and Kohat. Avoiding cholera epidemics Handicap International is focusing primarily on providing access to clean drinking water, a key factor in preventing the development of epidemics, particularly cholera, which can easily spread in a flood situation where water sources are contaminated. Our initial goal is to distribute clean drinking water to 100,000 people, requiring 200 rounds a month by water tankers. Water treatment tablets will also be distributed along with jerrycans for collecting and storing clean water. Handicap International teams will give simple hygiene advice to the population that can help prevent the spread of epidemics. In addition, we will provide the most vulnerable people with temporary shelters (sheets), blankets, cooking kits* and hygiene kits**. Some 3,000 families will benefit, representing around 21,000 people in total. Our teams will also help clear up the waste and debris swept along by the floods, and remove stagnant water from towns, enabling the population to return and limiting the spread of disease. Handicap International has been present in Pakistan since 2005, since the deadly earthquake that killed 73,000 people and seriously injured 69,000 others. Our organisation has built up extensive expertise in emergency situations, including in El Salvador and India (2001), Iran (2004), Pakistan (2005), Indonesia (2005 and 2009), China (2008 and 2010), and Haiti (2010) to mention just our most recent operations. *Cooking kits contain saucepans, stoves, cooking utensils, etc. ** Hygiene kits contain basic items such as towels, soap, toothpaste, tooth brushes, nappies, sanitary towels, rubbish bags, etc.)