International Presentation Sisters in Pakistan

From the Partnership for Global Justice:

The effect of the flooding will be felt long after the waters abate as the loss of crops will inevitably lead to food shortages in the long term.

Sr. Shamim, based in the community in Risalpur, writes:

"There are about 1,500 flood victims in the school. Office staff members and our workers are doing a great job in looking after them in some ways. It is very hard to see them without their homes. The water went over their houses and there was no other option but to get out of the houses. The military is trying to feed them but it is not possible to give them everything. The water came so quickly that it was impossible for people to take things from their home. Some people came from Nowshera. It was pathetic to see those families who had lost their children as well. The majority of these people had mud houses... It is still raining. We are hoping and praying for the sun to shine."

August 17, From Sr. Josepha Charles, IPBVM in Pakistan: I am sitting in a shop. We are sending some appeals for help for the people in our area. All systems are out of order, no phone, no email etc. The situation is bad. We are in the worst hit area, trying to visit all we can. 210 families have occupied the school.

We have a fund for flood relief and will be sending help directly to our Sisters in Pakistan. If you wish to make a donation to the fund please contact the Presentation Sisters, Main Street, Monasterevin, Co. Kildare, Tel +353 45 525335. We are waiting until the flood waters subside in order to see how best to respond. The army is doing a fine job in providing food to some of the flood victims as are the aid agencies.

Crisis in Pakistan

From the Partnership for Global Justice:

The Medical Mission Sisters
Sister Sylvia Strahler, Medical Mission Sister District Coordinator in Pakistan, reports on the tragic flooding that has impacted missions of people. “Rescue teams have difficulty in getting to the victims because of the heavy rains and gushing waters...there is a great shortage of food, drinking water and medicines,” she writes. Please join with us in prayer for all those affected.

If you wish to help financially, please send your donation specified for: Pakistan Flood Relief to Medical Mission Sisters Development Center, 8400 Pine Road, Philadelphia, PA 19111.

Caritas Internationalis in Pakistan

From Caritas Internationalis via Partnership for Global Justice:

The challenges presented by the floods are enormous. Some areas are still inaccessible. The number of people who need help is massive. Prices of food and petrol have shot up as supply has been strangled. Caritas has been providing food, water, shelter, hygiene and cooking items, as well as medical support in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Balochistan, Punjab and Sindh. Caritas is also working with communities to identify infrastructure, such as roads, bridges and irrigation channels, that needs to be rebuilt. By doing this it will reconnect people to markets and other services. As Pakistani’s struggle with the loss of their homes, possessions and livelihoods, their one hope is that the floods will subside bef ore the planting season in September. If farmers are unable to plant because fields are water-logged, this increases the possibility of a hunger crisis brought on by poor crops at harvesting time. To donate online go to: www.CARITAS.org

Crisis in Pakistan

More information on Pakistan from the Partnership for Global Justice:

From the Dominicans in Pakistan
The present situation of Pakistan caused by floods is the worst one in our history. It is estimated that these floods have caused more damage than all together of the earthquake in Haiti, in Pakistan in 2005 and that of the tsunami.

Our Dominican family is affected. Parts of our houses, church buildings and church compounds have been damaged. In particular the lay Dominicans have also been severely affected by these rains. Their homes have collapsed, crops destroyed and most of their animals killed. I know 30 houses of Dominican laity have collapsed in a village near Faisalabad. There are many more which I am not aware of. They are in grave need of not only to rebuild their homes but also are in need of food, shelter, and medicine.

There is a forecast of more heavy rains and floods. That will certainly bring more misery and suffering to our people. Please pray for us so that we may be able to face these crucial times and all those families which are affected may get some comfort and relief. I will be happy to offer any assistance if any one of you would like to consider helping us in kind or cash for the flood victims have in Pakistan. To contribute to Dominicans efforts in Pakistan, contact fr. James Channan o.p. at jchannan@gmail.com

Crisis in Pakistan

From the Partnership for Global Justice:

Now that the waters are beginning to recede, we are becoming even more aware of the terrible situation that the Pakistan people are faced with from by the heavy monsoon rains and floods. These monsoon rains have caused devastating floods all around the country. According to the UN report 1,600 people have died, 6 million are homeless and about 17 million people are directly affected by these worst floods of our history of the country.

UN officials are raising the alarm for Pakistan’s children and the dangers posed by diarrhea, dehydration and malnutrition. Officials warn that 72,000 malnourished children in the flood hit area are at particular high risk.

We are enclosing what have heard from our colleagues, Good Shepherd Sisters, The Dominican Family, Presentation Sisters, Medical Mission Sisters, Catholic Relief Services and Caritas International who are on the ground in Pakistan. All of them are asking our prayers and our assistance. Let us hold all the people of Pakistan in your prayers.

The Good Shepherd Sisters

The Good Shepherd Sisters in Multan are involved in relief work together with the Justice and Peace commission and the Parish; they are trying their best to reach out to the people with the resources they have. Sr. Stella who is part of the ‘caritas’ is presently attending the ‘Lay Partnership’ program. When she returns she hopes to visit the people in the North. Any donations for relief work will be much appreciated. Please continue to pray that the rains will stop and the cry of the people for relief and wellbeing will be heeded to. We count on your prayers and support.

If anyone would like to make donation to the ongoing needs of the people of Pakistan and would like to channel them through Good Shepherd Sisters in Pakistan, please send checks, with note “for Pakistan” to: Sisters of Good Shepherd Notation – “for Pakistan, “ Ms Leela Fernandez, Good Shepherd Provinc ial Center, 25-30 21st Ave, Astoria, NY 11105

(We will post the responses of the Dominican Sisters, Medical Mission Sisters, Presentation Sisters, CRS, and Caritas Internationalis as time goes on. Each will be accompanied by an address for contributions. Stay tuned!)

Aid for Pakistan

Caritas Internationalis (CI) not only gives us an opportunity to support its efforts in Pakistan, but also to view photos and read the blog and related articles. Click here to go to the CI website.