SW News: With Pakistan's civilians struggling to survive after the catastrophic flood devastating the region, pontifical charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) offers a vital lifeline to the affected. ACN has announced that it will provide not less than €500,000 in support of the more than a hundred thousand families affected by flood in the South Asian nation.

As the civilians face a severe shortage of drinking water and an outbreak of the malaria epidemic, the Church called for urgent relief programs, including food, shelter, and medicine, particularly in the Hyderabad diocese and Karachi diocese. Tent camps have mushroomed across flood-hit areas of Pakistan, where displaced people have been forced to move to high ground.

ACN will donate €200,000 (£172,000) to almost 5,000 families in the Hyderabad diocese alone, including food rations, mosquito nets, and repellant. In addition, temporary shelters and mobile medical clinics will be set up. An additional €30,000 (£25,000) will assist residents in Karachi and surrounding areas, including hundreds of food packages, hygiene kits, and cooking utensils.

Decrying the conditions of the 19 parishes in the 22 districts of the Sindh province, Bishop Samson Shukardin of Hyderabad stated, "Thousands of families are surrounded by flood water, and thousands are 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."

The prelate further added, "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."

Following months of unprecedented monsoon rains that have killed 1,300 people and destroyed homes, businesses, highways, and bridges, about a third of Pakistan is underwater. The disaster, the first in nearly 30 years, has reportedly affected over 33 million people in Pakistan, according to the National Disaster Management Agency.

Separately, Pope Francis has assured his closeness to those affected by the flood in Pakistan and called for the international community to assist those facing severe flooding, which has wreaked havoc on the country.