FLOOD APPEAL On 4 August 2008, heavy and torren- tial rain flooded most parts of Pakistan, particularly areas in NWFP such as Peshawar (the capital) and its surrounding regions. The torrential rain flooded a local stream (Thara Khur) affecting over 100 villages in the upper part of Peshawar district. It was also reported that 30,000 livestock had been lost/destroyed. In response, the NWFP government established 11 camps for the affected population, to provide food, clean drinking water, shelter and medical services to the displaced people. The extent of damage anticipated signifi- cantly increased, affecting 25,000 fam- ilies and destroying 12,000 houses. The relief commissioner requested Rs25,000 compensation for the destroyed houses (estimated Rs200 mil- lion based on 8,000 completely destroyed houses) and Rs10,000 com- pensation for partially destroyed houses (estimate Rs40 million based on 4,000 houses partially destroyed) from the Federal government.
NWFP Speaker Hon. Kiramatullah Khan (second from left) visiting one of the communities affected by the flood.
had survived also suffered due to inadequate feed and damaged crops.
EMERGENCY RELIEF The NWFP provided 2500 kg cooked rice twice a day – with the police’s help – to the affected population, as well as dry food ration packs. In spite of this, the NWFP feels its efforts have been inadequate due to its limited resources. The district government has deployed seven water tankers in the area which travel long distances to distribute clean drinking water. Government response was inadequate, instead requiring assistance from non-government actors at national and international levels. It was also noted that no medical camps had been established, except in Miskin Abad which was jointly established by the Population Welfare Department and a non-governmental organization.
MR KHAN’S FIELD VISIT
After visiting the affected area it was clear that it required large scale assistance. The settlements were densely populated in an urban setting and most of the homes built of mud constructions were also destroyed. Only one food distribution was seen in the area which catered for 20- 30 people without any systematic mechanism by police officials. Affected populations travelled long distances to bring water to their settlements. Water sources had been badly affected in the area and settlements were filled with mud, debris and polluted stagnant water. The livestock that
the cities lose control of land under their jurisdiction to the city govern- ment whenever this is needed for urban purposes.
Examples of comparable process-
es around cities like Manila, although within a very different context, were described by Kelly in the 1998 issue (1). Other initiatives, such as the farmers’ markets in
GOVERNMENT APPEAL The NWFP is requesting urgent assistance and technical support from all national and international humanitarian actors including the CPA Member nations to come forward and provide assistance to the affect- ed population. Urgent needs include food, shelter, health services and water sanitation and hygiene.
For more information and your comments/suggestions please contact us: CONTACT INFORMATION
1. REGIONAL CO-ORDINATION OFFICER – Co-ordination meeting for NGOs: 10am daily: 12-The Mall Road, Old Commissioner House/opposite Air force Selection Centre Peshawar – RCO Ph: 091-9211337
2. MR ATTAULLAH KHAN DIRECTOR OF IT AND AUTOMATION; CPA FOCAL PERSON AND CO-ORDINATOR FLOOD REHABILITATION 091-9210214 / 0334-9227393 Email: atta63uk@yahoo.com
Tamil Nadu, South India, the boat market in Thailand and the sweet (Gur) market in Shabqadar in the north-west of Pakistan show increased concern with supporting better links between rural producers and urban consumers.
It should be noted that most of the population in low-and middle income nations live either in small
326 The Parliamentarian 2008/Issue Four
and intermediate rural areas but depend on urban centers for access to goods and services. The fact that most secondary
schools, higher education institutions, hospitals and government offices are located in urban areas gives an “urban bias” but if most of these are in rural or peri-urban centers and serve both rural and urban populations, then not