Flood-hit people still lack basic facilities

Thousands of rain and flood-hit people still lack basic facilities including food and other household items, according to a report prepared by Sindh Relief Department. About 20 percent people were still living in the relief camps because they did not have money to return to their homes, it further said.
The report was sent to Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah a few days back for official action with a hope that it might prove helpful in making miserable lives of thousands of rain/flood hit people better, sources told Business Recorder on Friday.
The team of the Relief Department under the leadership of Haleem Adil Shaikh, Advisor to Chief Minister, visited rain/flood affected districts of Sindh including district Sanghar, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, Tharparkar, Tando Allahyar, Shaheed Benazirabad, Tando Muhammad Khan, Khairpur Mir's, Naushehroferoze and Dadu.
After the visit, the team made a comprehensive report over the current situations of people and areas affected by the heavy rains of 2011, and super floods of 2010. The report available with Business Recorder mentioned that the Assessment team visited the various districts including Sanghar, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, Tharparkar, Tando Allahyar, Shaheed Benazirabad, Tando Muhammad Khan, Khairpu Mirs, Naushehro feroz and Dadu. The basic aim of these visits and report was to highlight unmet needs and gaps of relief assistance.
"During the visit, it has been found that about 20 percent rain/flood affected people still lack basic facilities, food and basic household items in their respective villages that was the reason they could not return to their homes. They do not have money to rebuild their kacha (mud-made) houses," the report mentioned. Katcha houses of people have been damaged completely while Pakka houses have been damaged partially and required proper maintenance.
Although the relief activities were stopped by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) but the Relief Department was still engaged and providing urgent assistance to those who were living in the worst conditions, the report added. For the restoration of health, education and other facilities, the report recommended to start the rehabilitation work as soon as possible in those areas, from where water was drained out, the report recommended.
The assistance relating to agriculture and livestock was required as the said districts heavily depend upon the agriculture, livestock, hence the report recommended government to write off loans of the land growers and to ensure transparency in distribution of Urea and seed to the affected people, the report mentioned.
The report carried out the village wise current situation of rain/flood affected people, it mentioned the names of villages including Dighri, UC Kingro, UC Soofan Shah, Deh-170, Pubban, Jhudo, UC Roshanabad, UC Ahori, village Syed Noor Ali Shah, Naonkot, Tando Jan Mohammad, Kot Ghulam Mohammad, Dudho Goth, Diyal Goth, Deh 269, 299, 300, 268 and 268-A in Sikiryari, Sindhri, UC Hingorno, Ismail Jo Goth, Phulahdiyun, Garhore Sharif, Mithi/ Kaloi, Dhoro Naro, Kunri, UC Sher Khan Chandio, UC-Bhustta, UC-Padhuro, UC-Chajrro, UC- Tali, UC-Nabi Sar, Samaro, Deh Kharoro, UC Padrio, UC-1, UC-2, UC-Mayani, UC-Kandiari, UC-Sethar Peer UC- Chhutiaran, UC- Kahorar and Goth Dalail Shar, Lal Hussain Mari Goth, Taluka Duar and Taluka Sakrand, Thari Mirwah, UC-Mithani, UC Khhoee, UC Sona Mandhi and UC-Bhorty, UC-Mundhar, UC- Makhdoom Bilawal, UC- Allahabad, UC- Phullji, UC- Pipr and Khairpur Nathan Shah (this city was under the 10 to 12 feet flood water in 2010-2011), UC- Mitho, UC- Dhani Bux Bugio and other union councils are still waiting for food and shelters, the report concluded.