Flood survivors: NDMA needs one million tents before winter sets in

NDMA Chairman says armed forces are flying helicopter sorties to reach 20,000 to 25,000 people stranded in villages.

ISLAMABAD: After devastating floods inundated most districts in Sindh, one million tents are needed to shelter thousands of displaced families before winter sets in, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

NDMA Chairman Dr Zafar Iqbal Qadir said the armed forces are flying helicopter sorties to reach an estimated 20,000 to 25,000 people stranded in villages in Tharparkar, Sanghar and Umarkot districts since water has not receded yet in many areas. “We have collected 350,000 tents so far and we need another 1 million.”

Talking to a group of reporters on Monday, he said around 13 out of 23 districts in Sindh have been affected by the recent floods that have destroyed crops, food reserves and wiped out
livestock, leaving millions of people dependant on relief.

Since the fields are still inundated in many villages and towns, farmers will not be able to sow Rabbi crops, he added. “It would be difficult for people to survive if they are not provided with alternative cash crops to compensate for the loss of traditional crops.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 11^th, 2011.