UNHCR Appeals for Greater Public Support to Aid Pakistanis Affected by Devastating Flooding

Strategic Insights -

UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie has issued a heartfelt appeal for greater public support to provide humanitarian relief to the millions of people whose lives have been devastated by the recent floods in Pakistan. The disaster, which has affected nearly 20 million people, has created a humanitarian, economic, and social catastrophe. Jolie emphasizes the urgent need for more assistance, including shelter, food, clean water, and medicine, to help alleviate the suffering of those affected.

Key Takeaways:

  • Angelina Jolie has made three trips to Pakistan since becoming a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador in 2001 and has donated $100,000 to the agency for its assistance work in the country.
  • The UN Refugee Agency has revised its global appeal for the Pakistan flood operation to $120 million, up from $41 million, due to the increasing needs of the victims.
  • UNHCR teams in Pakistan have provided shelter and other emergency supplies to millions of people caught up in the disaster, but the scale of the disaster is overwhelming humanitarian efforts.
  • Jolie emphasizes the critical need for more support, highlighting that 20 million people are at risk of disease and that the influx of new people in need is outpacing the ability of humanitarian organizations to provide assistance.
  • Texting the word SWAT to 50555 allows individuals to donate $10 to the UNHCR's efforts.

Statistics:

  • Nearly 20 million people have been affected by the floods in Pakistan.
  • $120 million is the revised global appeal for the Pakistan flood operation by the UN Refugee Agency.
  • $10 is the minimum donation that can be made by texting the word SWAT to 50555.
  • 20 million people are at risk of disease due to the lack of access to clean water and sanitation.

Sources:

  • "UN natural disaster fund". (Accessed Sep 01, 2010. via Marketwire)