Pakistan Floods – How Scouts can help
All of us in Scouts are shocked by the scenes of catastrophic flooding in Pakistan.
Huge rainfall during the monsoon has devastated homes and livelihoods, particularly in the western areas of Balochistan and Sindh. The flooding has destroyed over a quarter of a million homes, damaged a further million and a thousand people have lost their lives. The Pakistan government has declared a national emergency.
Today, our thoughts are with the people of Pakistan, and especially those Scouts and their families who are coping with the disaster. Many are still struggling to find shelter, and in many cases, have lost everything.
As a global family of Scouts, united by a common promise to help other people, we will support our friends in Pakistan in any way we can. We stand shoulder to shoulder with our fellow Scouts. Our Chief Scout, Bear Grylls, has written to the International Commissioner of the Scouts of Pakistan to express his solidarity on behalf the movement:
A message of solidarity from UK Scouts
Dear International Commissioner,
On behalf of the Scouts of the UK, I write to express my solidarity and support at this incredibly difficult time for your country. The scenes of flooding have shocked us all, and my heart goes out to the people of Pakistan, and especially those Scouts and their families affected by the disaster.
As a global family of Scouts, we stand together in times of crisis. We are united by a common promise to help other people, and I want to assure you that Scouts in the UK and around the world are doing everything they can as you cope with the aftermath of the catastrophic flooding.
Here in the UK, our Scouts are contributing to the Pakistan Flood Appeal set up by the Disasters Emergency Committee, and we will continue to follow the changing situation carefully and respond in any way we can.
As Chief Scout I would like to send my heartfelt support to every Scout facing this huge challenge. We are humbled by the great spirit and courage you are showing in the face of such adversity.
Your friend,
Bear Grylls OBE,
Chief Scout
How you can help
The Disasters Emergency Committee has set up The Pakistan Flood Appeal specifically to support those impact by the disaster. Donations can be made at www.dec.org.uk or by calling 0330 678 1000. The UK government will match fund the British public’s own donations to the DEC appeal up to £5 million.
Programme support
If you'd like to discuss the disaster with your groups, you can use these activities that explore natural disasters and how people help put things back together again: