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PAKISTAN / FOOD AID
STORY: PAKISTAN / FOOD AID
TRT: 1:12
SOURCE: WFP
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANAGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 14, 15 19 AUGUST 2010, PAKISTAN
15 AUGUST 2010, SWAT AREA, PAKISTAN
1. Aerials, Swat River flooding
15 AUGUST 2010, FATEHPUR, PAKISTAN
2. Various shots, people and goods crossing river by cable pulley system
bridge cut by flooding
15 AUGUST 2010, MINGORA, SWAT VALLEY PAKISTAN
3. Various shots, WFP distribution of fortified wheat flour, cooking oil and high energy biscuits to people affected by flooding
19 AUGUST 2010, MINGORA, SWAT VALLEY PAKISTAN
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Amjad Jamal, World Food Programme (WFP) Spokesperson: “WFP is scaling up its operation, providing food for more than six million people affected by the flood. It still remains a challenge, and of course, logistics is a bigger challenge- the roads are gone, the bridges are down. We need international assistance as quickly as possible.”
14 AUGUST 2010, MUZZAFARGAHR, PUNJAB PAKISTAN
5. Various shots, people walking in flooded roads,
6. Various shots, WFP distribution of fortified wheat flour, cooking oil and high energy biscuits to people affected by flooding
Efforts by the United Nations agencies to scale up aid delivery to those affected by the massive floods in Pakistan continue despite enormous logistical challenges posed by the devastated infrastructure that has left many areas accessible only by air after roads and bridges were destroyed by the deluge.
In many areas of the Swat Valley, people have devised local solutions, picking up food from distribution sites and taking it home on their shoulders across areas where roads have been washed away. In the mountainous Shangla district, mules have been made available to help people get food home.
This week the World Food Programme (WFP)’s food distributions reached one million people with a one-month food ration, but food stocks for September are under significant pressure. At least 6 million people are estimated to be in need of assistance, with the Red Crescent Society, Government departments, local authorities, businesses and private individuals all working in tandem with WFP to fill the food gap.
SOUNDBITE (English) Amjad Jamal, World Food Programme (WFP) Spokesperson: “WFP is scaling up its operation, providing food for more than six million people affected by the flood. It still remains a challenge, and of course, logistics is a bigger challenge- the roads are gone, the bridges are down. We need international assistance as quickly as possible.”
Distributions in Punjab and Sindh provinces have been gathering pace since the weekend, while deliveries in Balochistan started yesterday, according to WFP. Food aid distribution in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province has been ongoing since 1 August. Hardest hit areas and communities are being prioritised where possible.
Trucks are being forced to take long detours to reach many distribution sites, causing delays and longer turnaround times before they can be loaded with further food supplies.
Helicopters are the only viable means to reach many areas which have been cut off, and WFP is in the process of moving three heavy-lift helicopters to Pakistan to join the 10 that have already been made available by the Pakistani Government.
WFP has so far received just over $30 million of the $150 million it needs for its operation in Pakistan in the next three months.
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