Forzana

In 2010 Pakistan was hit by its worst natural disaster - floodwater inundated up to one fifth of the country and affected an estimated 20 million people. Oxfam launched an immediate response to provide aid to more than 2.4 million people. Thousands of families fled to temporary camps and we provided water, sanitation and hygiene promotion to help young children like Forzana, Qurban and Nadia stay healthy. In September 2011 fresh flooding in Pakistan's southern Sindh province put more than 5 million people at renewed risk of disease and widespread malnutrition. Oxfam has helped 570,000 people in eight districts worst affected by renewed flooding. Our help a vulnerable child gift helps in emergency situations just like this.

Whether it's delivered via water tanks, water trucks, or wells, safe water is essential when there are thousands of people living in emergency conditions. In the year following the Pakistan floods, we reached over a million people with safe water for drinking, washing and cooking.

Disease is always a concern in crowded camps, so keeping clean is crucial. As part of its water and sanitation work, Oxfam provided hand-washing facilities and hygiene kits containing essentials such as soap. Our build a bog gift has proved its worth in emergencies like this, helping to prevent disease and provide privacy and dignity.

In both the Shabaz and Sabzi Mandi camps, committees elected by the communities, have responsibilities which include making sure that the areas around the latrines are kept clean.

As of July 2011,Oxfam has supported more than 600,000 people with food security and restarting livelihoods in Pakistan. 150,000 people have been able to plant kitchen gardens with farming tools, seeds and support from Oxfam.

Learn more about Oxfam's Pakistan floods response here.