THE CHURCH WORLD SERVICE: EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROGRAM
CWS EMERGENCY APPEAL: Sindh (Pakistan) Drought
# 6952 for $151,343
December 18, 2002


SITUATION: A famine-like situation caused by persistent drought and an
acute shortage of irrigation water threatens Sindh province, one of
Pakistan's poorest regions: the province has an astonishing illiteracy
rate - 98 percent for women and 67 percent for men - and has few
opportunities for economic advancement; the majority of families depend on
cattle and agricultural production.

In recent growing seasons, drought has blighted this area, resulting in
drastically reduced income for farm families. In addition, the land is
degraded due to over grazing by cattle and indiscriminate use by its
inhabitants. Due to the lack of rain, most water wells remain brackish and
drinking water quality does not meet even the minimum standards set by
World Health Organization (WHO).


RESPONSE: Church World Service - Pakistan/Afghanistan (CWS-P/A) is
responding to this crisis with a short-term program of food assistance for
those most in need of assistance, as well as for fodder for livestock
owned by affected families. The project completion date is May 31, 2003.

The overall goal of the program is supplying needed food to 1,500 of the
most vulnerable families affected by the prolonged drought in 110 villages
of the Mirpurkhas division of Sindh province, with special consideration
given to: families who have suffered from the loss of crops and livestock;
those whose drinking water sources have dried up or are severely reduced;
those whose irrigation water sources have dried up or severely reduced;
drought-affected families with no land or loss of crops; drought-affected
families with malnourished children; female-headed families; families
headed by disabled persons; families with no source of income. Fodder for
cattle and livestock is also being provided.

Food packages being distributed include a monthly ration of 50 kg of wheat
per family, as well as 25 kilograms of cooking oil and 15 kg of legumes.
Each family will also receive 100 kg of concentrated fodder for their
livestock.

CWS and its local partners are coordinating with other international and
local non-governmental organizations, including the local Catholic Diocese
and the Hyderabad diocese of the National Council of Churches-Pakistan.


BUDGET:

Total Budget is $151,343; Direct assistance includes wheat: $19,303;
cooking oil: $41,823; legumes: $15,443; fodder: $38,606; training and
development (one workshop): $858; local partner support: $6,383; material
transport, storage, warehousing, handling, transportation of goods:
$4,118; staff travel: $6,177.

CWS-ERP is seeking $151,343 from its denominational members for this
appeal. For more specific information, including budget information,
contact CWS ERP. Or go to the ACT web site: www.act-intl.org

CHURCH WORLD SERVICE, Sindh (Pakistan) Drought #6952, P.O. Box 968,
Elkhart, IN, 46515. Phone pledges or credit card donations:
1-800-297-1516.

Call the CWS HOTLINE for updates: (800) 297-1516.

For further information about disasters to which Church World Service
is responding, contact CWS Emergency Response.

Telephone: (212) 870-3151
E-mail: donnajderr@aol.com
After-hours emergency pager: (800) 780-0853
Web site: www.cwserp.org


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