Pakistan has had a troubled history since it was officially founded in 1947. Regional confrontations, chronic insecurity as well as domestic political upheavals have all helped to weaken its health system to the point of collapse in some areas.
Health indicators are some of the lowest in the world, and around one in ten children dies before the age of five. The border areas are among the worst-affected.
We arrived in Pakistan following the Kashmir earthquake in October 2005 which killed 73,000 people, left thousands homeless and destroyed the health infrastructure. We responded within 24 hours of the earthquake, providing primary health care through mobile and static clinics, field hospitals and a referral service for emergency cases. We are currently preparing to hand over the health facilities we have supported in Muzaffarabad district to local authorities, as our disaster relief response draws to a close.
HUMANITARIAN UPDATE
In May, continued fighting in the Swat Valley and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) regions of Pakistan forced 2.3 million people from their homes in the largest internal displacement since the Rwandan genocide.
Merlin’s medical teams in Pakistan continue working around the clock to deliver vital health care to people displaced by the conflict in Swat valley.
Our teams are treating as many as 2,000 patients a day. Merlin has eight static health clinics set up in the camps, as well as eight mobile clinics traveling throughout the region bringing health care to those sheltering displaced families.
HOW MERLIN IS HELPING:
Our programme now focuses on two main areas in Pakistan: Balochistan, the poorest, most sparsely-populated South-Western province, and the conflict-affected North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) and the FATA.
Operational in Balochistan since 2007, we initially responded to floods caused by Cyclone Yemyin, providing emergency primary health care and nutrition through mobile and static clinics in Jhal Magsi district. In October 2008, we extended services to Ziarat district following an earthquake there. In the conflict-affected NWFP and FATA, Merlin is providing emergency primary health care and nutrition through mobile health teams and support to static health facilities in camps for the internally displaced as well as affected communities.
We’re also working to reduce malaria in 19 districts throughout Pakistan.
Providing health care in remote, neglected areas
We are helping 158,932 people
Balochistan is a remote desert area bordering Afghanistan, with freezing winters and summer temperatures that rise above 50˚C. Following the June 2007 cyclone, and an earthquake that struck in October 2008, Merlin is providing primary health care services and emergency nutrition support to 133,932 people in Jhal Magsi district and at least 25,000 people in Ziarat district.
Emergency response and recovery
We are serving 90,000 people
The ongoing conflict and insecurity in NWFP and FATA has caused a steady of influx of displaced people into areas around Peshawar. Merlin is supporting the provision of emergency primary health care and nutrition services through mobile and static clinics.
Targeting malaria
In order to tackle high rates of malaria, Merlin is working with the Global Fund for Malaria in 19 districts of Pakistan, supplying bed nets, rapid diagnostic tests and microscopes to a combined population of over 12 million people. We have also begun a project to reduce malaria, focusing on improving diagnosis and prevention in eight highly-affected districts in Balochistan, NWFP and FATA.
Key achievements
• Between October 2005 and July 2008, nearly 1.5 million displaced people in earthquake-affected regions received essential primary health care services
• Merlin was one of only two NGOs to receive an award from the Pakistani government’s Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority for our excellent work in the region. Our Country Director and Country Health Director received personal recognition
• By the end of February 2009, we provided access to primary health care to 133,932 people in Jhal Magsi district of Balochistan
Donors supporting Merlin's work
WHO (UN CERF), UNICEF (UN CERF), DFID, Disasters Emergency Committee, Global Fund, independent private donors
Read more about Pakistan
Profile: Rabia Mir
Jul 17 2009: Private Sector Steps Up for Merlin
In October 2005, Rabia Mir was a 20-year-old junior at Harvard University when the academic year took an unexpected turn. The Pakistan earthquake struck in her home country killing nearly 80,000 people.
The experience stayed with her and played a pivotal role in determining where Rabia is today: working with Merlin’s Health and Policy team at London headquarters.
Pakistan: A year after the floods, Merlin helps rebuild health care
Jun 27 2008: 12 months after Cyclone Yemyin flooded Balochistan province in Pakistan, Merlin continues to bring relief to those who have been hit hardest.
Pakistan: Survivors of the flood
Aug 9 2007: Logistics coordinator, Janette MacLeod, describes how Merlin's emergency team is helping the survivors of the Pakistan floods.
EYEWITNESS: Making an impact on the lives of thousands of quake survivors
Mar 27 2007: Ben Twitchin describes his first visit to the camps and mountain villages where Merlin is providing medical care for thousands of earthquake survivors.
SURVIVORS' STORIES: Shumila
Oct 24 2006: Shumila and her baby would probably not have survived if she did not go to Merlin's clinic for the delivery.
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