Appeals

Appeals

Action by Churches Together (ACT) - Switzerland Regions: Asia/Pacific, Pakistan
Appeal Pakistan Sindh Drought - ASPK-21 Appeal Target: US$ 151,343
Geneva, 13 December 2002

The Mirpurkhas division drought is in its fourth year and is due to the wider climatic phenomenon affecting countries in South-Asia, the Near East and the Greater Horn of Africa. This remote part of lower Sindh province remains one of Pakistan's most disadvantaged regions in terms of government priorities. 98 percent women and 67 percent men are illiterate and immunisation coverage is less than 50 percent.

There are very few livelihood options - the majority of families depend on cattle and agricultural production which in turn depends on the seasonal rainfall and irrigation water. Due to frequent drought agricultural production has been drastically reduced resulting in the reduction of income of the poor families from livestock and agricultural produce. Furthermore, the land is degraded due to over grazing by cattle and indiscriminate use by its inhabitants. This has given rise to problem of fodder shortage for animals and reduction in the quantity and quality of agriculture production.

The water resources are a major problem in Mirpurkhas division as all water wells are charged from the annual rainfall and canal water. Due to the lack of rain most wells remain brackish and drinking water quality does not meet even the minimum standards set by World Health Organisation (WHO). A famine-like situation looms large over Sindh due to the persisting drought and acute shortage of irrigation water. The canals are dry and at some places even drinking water is not available.

ACT member Church World Service, Pakistan/Afghanistan (CWS-P/A) proposes easing the situation for some of the most vulnerable families with food packages and fodder for livestock. This is seen as a short term intervention aiming at preventing the development of widespread famine and stemming the mass migration. The underlying long-term problems are being addressed through the ongoing programmes of CWS and its partners.

Project Completion Date: 31 May 2003

Please kindly send your contributions to the following ACT

Bank Account: Account Number - 240-432629.60A (USD)
Account Name: ACT - Action by Churches Together
UBS SA
PO Box 2600
1211 Geneva 2
SWITZERLAND

Please also inform the Finance Officer Jessie Kgoroeadira (direct tel. +4122/791.60.38, e-mail address jkg@act-intl.org) of all pledges/contributions and transfers, including funds sent direct to the implementers, now that the Pledge Form is no longer attached to the Appeal.

We would appreciate being informed of any intent to submit applications for EU, USAID and/or other back donor funding and the subsequent results. We thank you in advance for your kind co-operation.

ACT is a worldwide network of churches and related agencies meeting human need through coordinated emergency response. The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland.
Website: http://www.act-intl.org

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/fromthefield/565653