As you are probably aware, our sisters and brothers in Pakistan are experiencing the worst natural disaster in their history. Relentless monsoon rains have flooded over a third of the country, and the rain is still coming. People have been displaced, communities have been destroyed, and the threat of waterborne diseases is dire.
Some of you have asked how we can help those affected by this terrible disaster in Pakistan. Episcopal Relief & Development is working with one of its partners, the ACT Alliance, to provide emergency assistance in the flood areas. According to Episcopal Relief & Development’s recent statement about the relief efforts, “The emergency relief provided by ACT’s on-the-ground partners in Pakistan seeks to address the most basic needs of those affected by the flooding. ACT is working through local implementing partners to provide food and other critical items to over 86,500 people, shelter kits for 25,500 persons, and health care to 36,500 individuals.” You can read the full statement here: http://www.er-d.org/PakistanReliefAugust2010.
This year has seen many natural disasters, and a continuing and steady need for aid. Episcopal Relief & Development has a stellar track record both of responding to immediate needs following a disaster, and then working with local partners to rebuild communities. I encourage you to make a general donation to Episcopal Relief & Development’s Disaster Response Fund (which is one of the choices from the Donate Now button on at www.er-d.org), as this enables the organization to use the money where it is needed most urgently, be it in Pakistan, Haiti, or wherever the next disaster occurs. You can also donate directly to the Pakistan relief effort if you wish.
Above all, please keep the people of Pakistan and the aid workers responding to this disaster in your prayers in the days and weeks to come.
