TPRF Gives $100,000 for Clean Water Relief in Flood-Stricken Pakistan

Grant by The Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF) will bring drinking water, sanitation and hygiene services to people displaced by recent devastating floods.

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A grant of US$100,000 from The Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF) will help provide clean water and hygiene kits for people in the worst affected provinces, with a particular focus on orphans, widows, and the disabled. For over 20,000,000 Pakistani people who have reportedly suffered long- or short-term losses from these historic floods, the urgent need is for clean water to prevent widespread waterborne disease.

WaterAid, recipient of the grant, is an international charity whose mission is to transform lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in the world's poorest communities. Established in Pakistan since 2006, the charity is working with local partners to bring aid quickly and effectively. The first phase of WaterAid's response is to provide drinking water, sanitation and hygiene services for the displaced communities. The second phase will be to continue efforts towards the rehabilitation of drinking water sources, hygiene and sanitation facilities.

The Pakistan disaster zone, submerged by the flash floods and torrential monsoon rains that started on July 28, now stretches from the Hunza Valley in the North to Sindh in the South. The people in this area have lost their homes and their livelihoods, and many have lost family members. The situation continues to worsen with more flooding expected.

In a massive effort to prevent the spread of disease, temporary tankers will deliver fresh water directly to survivors while purification tablets, rehydration salts, and basic hygiene kits containing soap, toothbrushes, combs, towels, and water vessels will be distributed widely. The spread of communicable diseases will be minimized by hygiene education, and medical camps will offer both preventative and curative aid with particular attention to maternal and child health.

The United Nations has declared this to be the worst humanitarian crisis in recent history, exceeding those of three recent natural catastrophes combined: the Indian Ocean tsunami, and the Kashmir and Haiti earthquakes.

TPRF's president, Linda Pascotto, says, "Our hearts go out to the flood victims in Pakistan. Supplying clean drinking water and hygiene kits to the worst affected areas can help to prevent the spread of disease, bring hope and save lives."

About The Prem Rawat Foundation (TPRF)

Created in 2001, TPRF promotes Prem Rawat's vision to address fundamental human needs so that people everywhere can live their lives with Dignity, Peace, and Prosperity. For more information, visit: http://www.tprf.org

SOURCE The Prem Rawat Foundation