Direct Relief Responds to Pakistan Flooding

In response to the major flooding that is afflicting Pakistan, Direct Relief International announced today that it has made an initial commitment of up to $5 million in medical material aid for emergency flood relief efforts in the country. The organization has been working closely with several longtime partners in Pakistan who are assisting the injured and displaced, which number a reported 13 million throughout the country.

On early news of the flooding, Direct Relief’s emergency response team reached out to partners including the Pakistan Institute of Prosthetic and Orthotic Sciences (PIPOS), Marie Stopes Society Pakistan (SMMP), and American Refugee Committee (ARC) to offer medical material assistance. With infrastructure such as roads, bridges, villages, and homes destroyed during heavy storms and flooding since late July, search and rescue efforts have been the priority, according to news reports.

Marie Stopes staff reports that its medical outreach teams are seeing patients for a range of flood-related illnesses, including respiratory infections, skin and eye infections, and gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea.

Direct Relief is also coordinating response efforts with supporting medical manufacturers who have production facilities in Pakistan to expedite delivery of needed medical aid.

The organization’s emergency response team has been reaching out to partners in Pakistan to offer assistance since news broke last week about the flooding to deliver the most targeted aid possible.

On early news of the flooding, Direct Relief’s emergency response team reached out to partners including the Pakistan Institute of Prosthetic and Orthotic Sciences (PIPOS), Marie Stopes Society Pakistan (SMMP), and American Refugee Committee (ARC) to offer medical material assistance. With infrastructure such as roads, bridges, villages, and homes destroyed during heavy storms and flooding since late July, search and rescue efforts have been the priority, according to news reports.

ARC and MSS have sent medical outreach teams to assist the people displaced by flooding and in need of medical care. Both groups are identifying specific materials and medicines to best support their emergency response and coordinating their requests with Direct Relief’s team. Waterborne diseases are of the greatest concern; partners report seeing patients for skin and eye infections, respiratory infections, and diarrhea, which often occur in flood situations.

American Refugee Committee has assisted displaced populations in Pakistan since 2002, providing basic services including shelter, food, and medical care. Marie Stopes Society provides reproductive health and primary care services to people in need throughout Pakistan. PIPOS was founded by Dr. Bakht Sarwar to help rehabilitate people injured in the 2005 earthquake, and is now one of the most esteemed facilities of its kind.

Direct Relief built strong relationships with healthcare providers in Pakistan during the organization’s ongoing response to the 2005 earthquake there. The organization delivered more than $14 million in medical aid to assist people injured in the earthquake, with a particular emphasis on prosthetic and orthotic services for the disabled.