Torrential monsoon rains have triggered the most severe flooding in Pakistan’s recent history, washing away villages and leaving more than three million children in need of humanitarian assistance and at increased risk of waterborne diseases, drowning and malnutrition.

The catastrophic flash floods have left one-third of the country flooded. According to local authorities the death toll has surpassed 1,200. 220,000 homes have been completely destroyed, and 662,000 homes have been damaged, leaving tens of millions of families and children internally displaced and homeless. Described as a “climate catastrophe” by the UN Secretary General, the floods have left over 6 million people in urgent need of humanitarian aid. Victims, many of them being children, are in serious need of basic amenities, including tents, food, medicine, clean drinking water, hygiene items and shelter. Without urgent access to these amenities, many families and young children will remain at serious risk and continue to suffer from the impact of the flash floods. Children in particular will suffer more than adults from a climate-related crisis like this one, with those in the poorest communities bearing the biggest burden.

The Dentons Foundation is setting up a fundraising campaign, with a target of raising a minimum of €10,000, in order to support JDC Foundation in its flood relief efforts. The Foundation is a Pakistani charitable non-profit organization that focuses on promoting and enhancing the welfare of individuals, families and children faced with poverty, and offering emergency relief and rehabilitation to those that are suffering as a result of crises such as the current flooding. From day one, the flood relief teams of the JDC Foundation in Pakistan have been on the ground in the flood affected areas. They are continuously organizing the supply of important relief goods for children, including dry milk, pampers, biscuits and baby feeders. As children are forced to drink contaminated water, the risk of water-borne diseases such as cholera, diarrhea and malaria continues to increase. The dangers of mosquito and snake bites, as well as skin and respiratory diseases have also increased. The Foundation responds to these risks by offering baby coats to protect the children from bites, and medicines, medical supplies, water purifying tablets, anti-bacterial cream, ointments, safe delivery kits and therapeutic nutritional supplements. JDC also plans to set up medical camps where they can distribute such immediate relief.

Moreover, with over 1000 primary and secondary schools having been fully or partially damaged as a result of the floods, the JDC Foundation hopes to assist with the repair and re-construction of schools and educational centers.