WITH MORE THAN 1500 DEAD and many more in great need, the Church has mobilized to help victims of flooding in Pakistan. ACN has committed to helping with projects in Hyderabad and Karachi, two of the dioceses in Sindh province most affected by the catastrophe.

The local Catholic Church in Pakistan is doing what it can to help the victims of the monsoon floods that have devastated large parts of the country over the past weeks.

The situation in the Diocese of Hyderabad is critical, according to information sent to ACN by bishop Samson Shukardin. The flood severely affected all 19 parishes in the 22 districts of the Sindh province. “Thousands of families are surrounded by flood water and sitting by the roadside with improper facilities. They have no food, no clean drinking water, no shelter, no restrooms, and no health facilities. The children suffer the most. Consumption of contaminated water is causing diseases, and the mosquito menace is causing different skin diseases and malaria in the communities affected by the recent floods,” the bishop reported.

“Many of the families have taken refuge in local churches as their houses have been flooded with rainwater, but many of the churches are also flooded, which has caused damage to Church buildings and community centers in the diocese,” said Bishop Samson added that he has been fielding calls from priests and laypeople all over the diocese asking for help. He felt the Church had to act swiftly and reached out to ACN.