The recent unprecedented floods in Pakistan have left many impoverished. Thousands of people have been directly affected and displaced and many schools have been damaged as well. Since schools play a critical role during and after disasters in many contexts, the Sindh Education Foundation’s work with the communities is enhanced even more. Schools can act as havens for whole communities; they can disseminate information on various kinds of hazards and mitigation through participatory measures and help people particularly children deal with distress and trauma caused by disasters. Many of the SEF partner schools in districts Dadu, Jamshoro, Khairpur, Larkana, Hyderabad, Benazirabad, Sehwan and Jacobabad have been adversely affected by floods. As per initial reports, more than 70 SEF partner schools have been affected due to floods. Details are below:

In response to the disaster, SEF immediately set up relief camps in Sukkur and Khairpur providing food, water and medicine to affectees. A dedicated fund has been set-up and SEF employees have generously donated, including part of their salary and a Fund has been instituted to undertake relief work and rebuild schools. Many staff members are working as volunteer aid workers at relief camps set-up by SEF in Sindh. As time progresses and needs emerge, SEF will work according to a comprehensive plan for relief and school revival.

In the first stage of disaster response, the SEF is mobilizing efforts to provide relief for communities in flood affected areas in Sindh province of Pakistan. Initial relief camps have been set-up at Jamshed Bandh (area bordering Sukkur and Khairpur); Government Primary School, Obri (District Khairpur) and along the main National Highway, Khairpur. The camps are extending assistance to 700 affectees through provision of temporary shelter, meals, drinking water and basic health services. A group of doctors is voluntarily providing first aid for treating snake bites, skin diseases, diarrhea, viral infections, etc. Local partnerships are encouraged to reinforce reform efforts. Work in underway through cooperation of local government officials in Khairpur. Also, Sindh Rural Support Organization (SRSO) has joined hands with the SEF to extend further facilities such as provision of mosquito nettings; water hand pump for supply of clean water and food. A data collection bank has been established as well for registration of flood victims. Data is being collected on family profile, area of residence, age, occupation, etc.

SEF is also preparing emergency education program for children and adults which will be launched in the coming weeks in order to help the deal affectees particularly children in dealing with the post-traumatic stress.

In the second stage of disaster response, SEF will work on school revival through rebuilding infrastructure and facilities destroyed by the floods.

Donations as well as partnerships with like-minded individuals and organizations are invited for integrated development work to reduce potential overlaps and enhance the distribution of development efforts across the affected regions.