When floods strike, they do not time it right for a woman’s menstrual cycle, or birthing plan. According to the UNFP, at least 6.4 million people require humanitarian assistance after being hit by the floods triggered by the recent torrential monsoon rains in Pakistan and 1.6 million of them are women and girls.
According to estimates, over 75,000 pregnant women are impacted by the floods in Pakistan and those young girls and women not in this bracket will be menstruating regularly, once every 15 to 30 days on average.
Life in relief camps might be hard for everyone, but for many women, it is also a cultural shock, as quoted by The UNPF. These women have never lived in such close proximity with men, many observing purdah throughout their lives, and currently, all of them are deprived of any female hygiene products. Hygiene in general for women will deteriorate sharply as they do not have access to bathrooms. While men and young children can bathe out in the open, women do not have that liberty.
The challenges here point to a major health disaster. World News on major channels reports that a third of Pakistan is underwater. Over 30 Million people are impacted by the floods. The footage depicts kilometres of flooded land, villages under water and presently, no reprieve in sight.
Pakistani NGOs Are Doing Their Part But They Need Our Help
NGOs have kicked in to do what they do best, but they need our support to reach more people and bring relief to those who need it most. Listed below are a few NGOs actively working around the clock to provide relief and here’s how you can help by donating to their cause.
1) Donate Antenatal Kit(s) Via The Mama Baby Fund
The page posted an image of the clean delivery kits the NGO will be providing for expecting mothers.
‘In times of natural disasters and crises, there are much higher chances of pregnant women suffering from sepsis and newborns not surviving. There are no clean surfaces to give birth on and the umbilical cord is cut with whatever rusty scissors or knives can be found.
Founder of Mama Baby Fund and experienced midwife Neha Mankani recommends these clean delivery kits for women who are going to be giving birth at home in affected areas of Sindh and Balochistan. Each kit contains a clean blade and thread for the cord, a waterproof sheet, vitamins, gloves, clothes for the baby, panjeeri, soap, diapers, a hand towel, and misoprostol to prevent PPH. The cost for each kit is Rs. 1800.’
MAKE YOUR DONATIONS TO:
Mama Baby Foundation
Account Number: 1003-0981-083006-01-5
Bank: Bank Al Habib
IBAN:PK89BAHL1003098108300601
2) Donate Menstrual Supplies Via MahwariJustice22 & WonderWomenpk
‘Menstrual hygiene is a basic right. Help us reach out to the flood victims who need access to a safe period amidst this crisis…The kits include detergents and soap, amongst other essentials and will be delivered to Layyah, Rajanpur, Dera Ghazi Khan and Taunsa’, posted MahwariJustice 22 on Instagram.
‘Periods do not stop during times of crisis and all women deserve dignity while menstruating. Please donate generously and keep the victims of Balochistan floors in your prayers. We are extremely grateful for whatever you can donate’, posted wonderwomenpk on Instagram in solidarity with Mahwarijustice22.
MAKE YOUR DONATIONS TO:
Bank Details: Bank Al Habib
Tilte: Bushra Mahnoor
IBAN: PK28BAHL0007098106427601
Acc no: 000709810642760
Jazzcash and EasyPaisa
0331-7601363 (Anum Khalid)
3) End Period Poverty Via Khair.pk
‘Period Poverty in Pakistan is a serious issue, more so in times like this. Over the last few weeks, we have been receiving calls from victims that have no access to sanitary products. 675,000 women that are displaced are of reproductive age. Unfortunately, periods don’t stop during calamities. Many of these women find it difficult to speak about periods or ask for help, especially amidst a crisis this catastrophic, resulting in a rise of disease and infections. Khair is collaborating with doctHERs to provide pads. Even if each one of us donates Rs. 1000 worth of pads we can make a huge difference!’
MAKE YOUR DONATIONS TO:
Name: Rohan Pakistan Academy
IBAN: PK46 UNIL 0109000265533581
Bank: UBL
4) Motherland Flood Relief Campaign By Aurat Foundation
‘Aurat Foundation has launched a nationwide Motherland Flood Relief Campaign to meet the urgent needs of women, children, and the elderly. Aurat Foundation will use donated funds to provide flood victims with clean water, water sanitation tablets, dried cereal grains, rice, flour, basic food items, vitamins, medicines, soap, personal hygiene products, and cooking utensils. In addition, the Campaign is also focusing specifically on meeting women’s immediate needs including the provision of sanitary napkins, undergarments, and other essential clothing. Each donation will make an immediate difference in the life of a flood victim’.
MAKE YOUR DONATIONS TO THE ACCOUNTS MENTIONED IN THE IMAGE ABOVE.
In our efforts to bring relief to those who need it most, let’s support and facilitate flood relief efforts in areas where it is needed most. Before you donate, carry out your due diligence and research your way into making your efforts count so that we are able to reach the maximum number of people who need our help. One kit can help make a difference, will you do your part?
