On the ground and around the clock: ADRA provides medical aid
2nd September, 2010
Wahroonga, New South Wales — As evacuees attempt to rebuild lives washed away by the devastating Pakistan floods, medical teams are providing aid to the increasing number affected by illness and injury.
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) has delivered mobile health clinics, essential medical supplies and equipment to the Muzzafargarh region in central Pakistan. In a region previously unreached by aid, ADRA is working with those most in need.
“ADRA is on the ground and working around the clock,” said ADRA Australia Emergency Management Director Chris Olafson. “The medical assistance given by our team will secure the lives of thousands of displaced people affected by cholera, diarrhoea, infections and other potentially fatal diseases.”
Medical teams are also establishing a field hospital to relieve the pressure on local medical facilities, with an ambulance used to transport the most serious cases to hospital. One local hospital reported admitting over 1,000 patients a day since the start of the flooding crisis, with beds often shared between three people. Flood waters have destroyed over 570 health facilities in Pakistan.
ADRA is also working to secure clean water sources in areas where all access to clean drinking water has been destroyed. In addition to direct medical aid, implemented in partnership with Karachi Adventist Hospital, ADRA is providing mobile water and water purification systems to people who were previously forced to drink from contaminated sources.
The distribution of health education materials to local villages has also begun with fliers describing the best ways to prevent and treat common water-borne diseases being delivered to the region. Continuing health education programs implemented by ADRA in a number of schools and villages will also ensure that the threat of prolonged disease is minimised.
The ongoing disaster has affected over seventeen million Pakistanis and resulted in more than 1,600 deaths nation-wide. As flood waters continue to flow south reports indicate that at least 79 of Pakistan’s 122 districts have been affected.
ADRA Australia appreciates the concern of our supporters and donors. Donations can be made to ADRA’s Disaster Relief and Preparedness Fund by calling 1800 242 372 or visiting www.adra.org.au. Any donations unable to be used in response to the Pakistan floods will be allocated to ADRA Australia’s future emergency management activities.
ADRA Australia is a non-government organisation (NGO) engaging in sustainable development projects and emergency management activities for people in need in Australia, the Pacific, Asia and Africa. It is a member of the Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS) and has full accreditation with the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID). It is a member of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) and is a signatory to ACFID’s Code of Conduct. ADRA Australia is part of the international ADRA network, which has a presence in 125 countries. ADRA is the worldwide humanitarian arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. For more information about ADRA Australia, or to sign up for email updates, visit www.adra.org.au
...
 | On the ground and around the clock: ADRA provides medical aid (219 kb) |
Media Enquiries:
Braden Blyde
p 02 9489 5488
m 0407 172 305
e news@adra.org.au
www.adra.org.au
