REUTERS/Athar Hussain

Survivors of a powerful earthquake that struck southwestern Pakistan, flattening mud-walled homes and triggering landslides.

AmeriCares is sending relief shipments to Pakistan to help survivors of a 6.5-magnitude earthquake that left at least 300 dead and more than 800 people injured. Damage and pollution of water systems and wells have caused an acute shortage of safe drinking water; and with it greater risk of disease outbreaks. Almost 90% of survivors have no access to safe drinking water in the areas hit hardest by the quake.

In response, AmeriCares is sending PŪR™ water purification solutions to help ensure safe drinking water is available to help those in need. This shipment of aid will:

• Help the most vulnerable people in earthquake-affected communities;
• Stem the spread of waterborne disease; and
• Support public health efforts on the ground by our local partners.

The quake leveled thousands of mud and log homes in the region, leaving about 40,000 people homeless. Lack of safe drinking water combined with cramped quarters and over-burdened sanitation systems creates high risks for the spread of fatal diseases, including:

• Typhoid disease, which causes a high fever. Victims can also suffer with severe rash and pain.
• Dysentery, which causes what can be life-threatening diarrhea and is very dangerous for young children and expectant mothers.
• Hepatitis, a disease of the liver that can cause flu-like symptoms and lead to deadly liver failure if left untreated.

AmeriCares will continue to monitor the situation in Pakistan to determine how we can deliver additional assistance to people struggling in crisis.

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