News Desk:
ISLAMABAD: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has provided relief goods and established three free medical camps to support floods and rains affecting the people of Balochistan. Torrential rains played havoc in the province, which covers half of the country in terms of area.
According to the assistant commissioner, the wards and emergency rooms of Muslim Bagh Civil Hospital were flooded, while rain in the hilly areas of Muslim Bagh damaged more than 100 houses. Most of the access roads to remote areas of Qila Saifullah, Zhob, and Harnai have been affected, hampering rescue operations in several areas. A Pishin administration official said hundreds of mud-houses were washed away or badly damaged in Malikyar, Don Khanozai and Sheikhmalzai areas of Pishin as floodwater coming from hilly areas of Burshor lashed the area.
Given the rapidly deteriorating situation, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has initiated response activities in Pishin and Quetta districts. With the financial aid of the German Federal Foreign Office, the IRC’s internal funds and support of its on-ground partner, the People’s Primary Healthcare Initiative (PPHI), the IRC has launched a rapid emergency response within 24 hours of the declaration of emergency, which is being implemented in close coordination with the Provincial Disaster Management Authority, Balochsitan.
“We have so far set up three free medical camps in the flood-affected areas. More than 500 Afghan refugees and host communities have so far availed the services,” shared Esfandyar Baloch, CEO of PPHI, while giving details of the relief operations.
He said that under this rapid response, more than 350 food packages and over 250 dignity kits are being distributed among the affected population.
While speaking about the response, Muhammad Shareef, IRC’s Head of Office, Balochistan, said, “The needs of the target beneficiaries will inevitably be affected by inflation and poverty. The opportunity cost of food items will, in all likability be healthcare. We understand this dilemma and our efforts are geared towards providing maximum possible relief to those most in need.”
“To minimize the adversity caused by natural disasters, the relevant actors need to plan beyond the immediate response and work closely with geologists, environmentalists, and researchers to examine, assess, and review potential future climate risks to timely alert the decision-makers,” said Shabnam Baloch, IRCs Country Director.
She also said that it is equally important to understand that natural calamities further aggravate the vulnerability of women and girls and so, any response or management efforts must be designed keeping their unique protection issues in mind. PR
