For the more than 20 million people affected by the recent disaster in Pakistan, access to health care and basic supplies has been near-impossible as roads, bridges and other delivery channels were washed away by floodwaters. As those waters recede, waterborne illnesses could reach epidemic levels, and vulnerable populations throughout the country are in urgent need of essential medicines, shelter and other basics.
A relief flight organized by Luftfahrt ohne Grenzen in partnership with the Airbus Corporate Foundation was deployed from Frankfurt Airport in Germany to Islamabad to deliver essential supplies to the flood-affected areas. International Medical Corps delivered the more than $1.2 million in materials donated by Luftfahrt ohne Grenzen and flown on the Airbus. Supplies including medicines, disinfectants, tents, blankets and diapers for the over 100,000 babies expected to be born in the coming weeks in Pakistan were delivered directly to the hardest hit areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province by our local teams.
“We are able to continue delivering urgently needed medical care in the aftermath of this disaster through the generosity of partners like Luftfahrt ohne Grenzen and Airbus. We are extremely grateful to these partner organizations for coordinating this relief mission,” said Sonia Walia, International Medical Corps Regional Coordinator for Asia.
International Medical Corps has been operating in Pakistan since 1984, providing primary health care services and water/sanitation facilities to displaced Pakistanis and Afghan refugees. In the aftermath of the floods, we deployed 22 mobile teams to deliver emergency medical care, psychosocial and hygiene services. We are also running diarrhea treatment centers to address the spread of waterborne illnesses resulting from contaminated water sources.