By Amir Yaqub, Dera Din Panah
As criticism mounts over government relief efforts, Caritas Pakistan (Catholic Welfare Services) is spearheading medical care for victims of the country’s worst-ever floods.
“We shall continue providing medical service in flood affected areas until relief comes from outside,” said Bishop Andrew Francis of Multan.
“This is not the first time that Christians have joined hands to help their Muslim brothers at a time of disaster. We hope such action will bring the two communities closer.”
The prelate was speaking during an Aug. 6 visit to a Caritas Pakistan Multan (CPM) medical camp near Dera Dina Panah, one of the flood-hit cities in southern Punjab province.
The camp was organized at a school presently being used as a relief center for 10,000 flood victims.
Bishop Francis later distributed biscuits, bread and bottled water to victims.
Floodwaters have now reached south in Punjab and Sindh provinces.
The UN estimates that the floods have killed at least 1,600 people.
“Seven districts in Multan diocese have been severely affected,” said Izhaque Dulanda, CPM health program coordinator.
“We have organized three medical camps so far which are helping many women and children who have fallen prey to waterborne diseases,” Dulanda said.
Local people are criticizing government agencies for poor emergency relief measures.
“The irrigation department warned us very late,” said local resident Mohammad Sajad. “There were five to six feet of water in our houses when we vacated. We still have no idea about our cattle,” said the farmer who has been living at the Dera Din Panah camp for a week.
Church of Pakistan Bishop Humphrey S. Peters of Peshawar also visited flood-affected Christian families in Ternab Farm and Charsadda cities in Khyhber Pukhtunkhwa, the worst-hit province.
Two churches in these cities were severely damaged, local sources say.
(Published in UCAN News, August 10)
As criticism mounts over government relief efforts, Caritas Pakistan (Catholic Welfare Services) is spearheading medical care for victims of the country’s worst-ever floods.
“We shall continue providing medical service in flood affected areas until relief comes from outside,” said Bishop Andrew Francis of Multan.
“This is not the first time that Christians have joined hands to help their Muslim brothers at a time of disaster. We hope such action will bring the two communities closer.”
The prelate was speaking during an Aug. 6 visit to a Caritas Pakistan Multan (CPM) medical camp near Dera Dina Panah, one of the flood-hit cities in southern Punjab province.
The camp was organized at a school presently being used as a relief center for 10,000 flood victims.
Bishop Francis later distributed biscuits, bread and bottled water to victims.
Floodwaters have now reached south in Punjab and Sindh provinces.
The UN estimates that the floods have killed at least 1,600 people.
“Seven districts in Multan diocese have been severely affected,” said Izhaque Dulanda, CPM health program coordinator.
“We have organized three medical camps so far which are helping many women and children who have fallen prey to waterborne diseases,” Dulanda said.
Local people are criticizing government agencies for poor emergency relief measures.
“The irrigation department warned us very late,” said local resident Mohammad Sajad. “There were five to six feet of water in our houses when we vacated. We still have no idea about our cattle,” said the farmer who has been living at the Dera Din Panah camp for a week.
Church of Pakistan Bishop Humphrey S. Peters of Peshawar also visited flood-affected Christian families in Ternab Farm and Charsadda cities in Khyhber Pukhtunkhwa, the worst-hit province.
Two churches in these cities were severely damaged, local sources say.
(Published in UCAN News, August 10)
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