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Dear Friends,
Greetings from flooded Pakistan.
This year the country has been hit by the largest amount of rainfall in three decades. Monsoon rains have caused devastating floods in Pakistan, leaving millions homeless, destroying buildings, bridges and roads. The monsoon rains which caused the floods are unprecedented in scale and scope.
According to the NDMA (National Disaster Management Agency) and the climate change minister, more than one third of the country has been completely submerged by the heaviest recorded monsoon rain in three decades. Many Pakistani schools and health facilities have been destroyed.
Sindh, Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are the most effected provinces. 66 districts in Baluchistan have been declared calamity by the government, 23 in Sindh, 9 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and 3 in Punjab. PEB schools are all in the Punjab province, which has been the least affected so far. These floods (including flash-floods) have effected 33 million people, about 14% of the Pakistan population, causing deaths, displacement and losses whose effects will be felt for months and years to come.
The NDMA data shows that nearly 18 thousand schools/educational institutions have been partially or totally damaged. Due to damage to the infrastructure, communication and reaching out to help and provide food supplies, medicines, and shelter to those in need is very difficult. The PEB staff have pledged one day's salary to donate to flood relief. As a good will, PEB students in all schools are collecting resources and funds to send to the flood-affected areas.*
In 2010, PEB worked closely with the KNH Germany in establishing 10 “Child Friendly Spaces” in Jatoi, Muzaffarabad (South Punjab). We can provide safe places for students during the day while parents focus on rebuilding their homes.
Please remember Pakistan in your prayers, as many people are living in dangerous flood areas and fear. We thank God our PEB students, schools, parents, and communities are all safe. PEB stands committed with our brothers and sisters in this time of crisis.
Many blessings to you,
Veda Gill
Executive Director
Presbyterian Education Board in Pakistan
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