With the recent downpour adding to the problems of an already-flooded Pakistan, the natural disaster is now attracting widespread attention. But this problem has been building for months – 7 months to be exact, when a landslide in Attabad Hunza stopped up the vital Hunza River, spilling water into homes and farmland. Immediately following the January landslide, FOCUS Humanitarian Assistance, an affiliate of the Aga Khan Development Network, was on the scene.
Seven months ago, FOCUS was already evacuating families, distributing food and supplies, and assessing the potential dangers of the newly formed lake. As water levels continued to rise, FOCUS set up an early warning system to alert downstream villagers if they needed to evacuate. By May, the new 7-mile Hunza Lake had submerged an important trade road connecting Pakistan with China and isolated 25,000 people from resources that were once just across the bridge.
With Pakistan’s torrential rains beginning in late July, the dangers of the flood are now more severe than ever. And FOCUS is still on the frontlines. According to a recent article in The Independent, FOCUS is still the only non-military search and rescue team working in Pakistan. –MORE–
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To support FOCUS’ ongoing disaster preparedness and response activities, please contact their North America office at 1-800-423-7972, ext. 24.
Click here to read more: PartnershipsInAction Newsletter: August 2010.
Ismailimail 