Extreme temperatures in early July 2022 led to glacial melting, high river and stream levels, and flash flooding throughout Pakistan, intensified by heavy monsoon rains. FOCUS’ partner, the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat (AKAH) was quick to establish emergency operations centers in Gilgit (Gilgit-Baltistan), Karachi (Sindh), Chitral (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), and Islamabad to coordinate aid and emergency response volunteers. AKAH has provided evacuation and shelter support, technical coordination services, and emergency relief supplies with funding support from Focus Humanitarian Assistance (FOCUS).
For decades, FOCUS and AKAH have been well-positioned to respond to such disasters with extensive investments in the capacity building of emergency specialists and volunteers including Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs), Search and Rescue Teams (SARTs), and Disaster Assessment and Response Teams (DARTs).
CERTs in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were mobilized early and safely evacuated more than 8,000 people before floods and landslides reached their villages. The debris flowing down the mountainsides caused severe damage to homes, businesses, cattle sheds, agricultural lands, and trees as well as destroying vital access roads and bridges. Many are being housed by host families. AKAH has provided water, emergency shelter, blankets and essential non-food items as well as arranged for food to families whose homes were completely or severely damaged. CERTs are continuing to work with local communities to evacuate people at-risk of landslides and to distribute additional relief items from the stockpiles.
For decades, FOCUS and AKAH have been well-positioned to respond to such disasters with extensive investments in the capacity building of emergency specialists and volunteers including Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs), Search and Rescue Teams (SARTs), and Disaster Assessment and Response Teams (DARTs).
CERTs in Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were mobilized early and safely evacuated more than 8,000 people before floods and landslides reached their villages. The debris flowing down the mountainsides caused severe damage to homes, businesses, cattle sheds, agricultural lands, and trees as well as destroying vital access roads and bridges. Many are being housed by host families. AKAH has provided water, emergency shelter, blankets and essential non-food items as well as arranged for food to families whose homes were completely or severely damaged. CERTs are continuing to work with local communities to evacuate people at-risk of landslides and to distribute additional relief items from the stockpiles.
