Berlin-based German Aid for Afghan Children (GAAC), has distributed one-month food ration among 15 flood-affected families and warm clothes and shoes among 300 children in Kaidaam and Gornai localities of the worst flood-affected district Swat of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
The food ration distributed comprised of flour, pulses, rice, sugar, ghee, milk powder, tea leaves and other items while the winter wearing were warm clothes, socks, shoes, jackets and sweaters. President of the organisation, Dr Reinhard Eroes distributed food and non-food relief amongst the residents of the flood-affected areas during his visit to Swat. He along-with Country Director, GAAC Engineer Alam Shahab and officers of Pakistan Army took an aerial view of the areas and expressed deep concern that affectees have to live under open sky.
Engineer Shahab told Dr Eroes that according to a survey of the Red Cross, four million flood affectees are still lying under open sky despite a passage of six months. He termed lack of shelter for a large number of affectees a matter of deep concern for human rights organisations, and called for provision of resources for on priority basis to save the affectees from chilly cold. He was of the view that severe cold and snowfall has multiplied problems for them and they are high risk to catch different diseases.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Eroes said that his organisation is utilising all available resources for meeting requirements of the affectees, adding that in those areas where people were facing food shortage, food items were provided through volunteers. However, he termed it insufficient. He pledged that the people of Germany will continue relief activities for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of people of Swat. He directed Engineer Shahab to resolve the problems of the survivors at the earliest.
GAAC started relief and rehabilitation operation with an amount one million Euros in the flood-affected districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The organisation had also distributed solar-powered energy generators for electricity and solar-powered cooking equipment. GAAC draws extensive experience of organising affected people following 2005 earthquake in Pakistan and working to extend relief and rehabilitation support.