Film: Save the Children's spokesperson on an aid mission in the Swat Valley reports on conditions

More than one thousand people have been killed and 1.5 million people affected by devastating flooding in north-west Pakistan. Some areas have received the highest recorded rainfall since 1929.

Rushing water has destroyed crops, roads and bridges and washed away thousands of homes, local businesses and schools. Our assessment team reports that nearly 90% of the bridges in affected areas have been washed away.

Lack of clean water, food and shelter as well as the risk of disease outbreaks are major concerns.

“Communities have no access to clean water or sanitation facilities,” said Matt Wingate, Save the Children UK’s Emergency Response leader. “Some people are starting to drink contaminated water, which will only increase the likelihood of waterborne illnesses like diarrhoea. Doctors are seeing many cases of respiratory illness and diarrhoea. If these illnesses are not treated promptly, they can be life-threatening to babies and young children,” he added.

There are chances of further flooding as more rains are expected over the coming days and weeks.

What we’re doing

We're one of the only aid agencies able to reach some of the remote northernmost parts of the Swat Valley. Our greatest challenge is trying to reach children and families with supplies and health care.

• We're using helicopters, donkeys and boats to deliver doctors and medical supplies to families cut off by the water. We've sent a medical team and medicines in on donkeys in Allai due to blocked roads and airlifted a team to Kund to supply urgent medical care to a village which is completely been cut off because of a collapsed bridge. We've treated more than one thousand patients already. 
• We plan to distribute 800 shelter kits, including tarpaulins, jerry cans and plastic glasses, to flood-affected families. 

What you can do to help

Please support our Pakistan appeal