Americans ‘Texting’ To Support Pakistan Flood Relief

August 3, 2010

Islamabad - Moved by news of the devastating floods in Pakistan, Americans have begun raising money for emergency relief in Pakistan using the latest communications technologies.  By texting the word SWAT to telephone number 50555, cellular phone users will be able to donate $10 to help flood victims in Pakistan through the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

An estimated 3 million people have been affected by the flooding.  UNHCR emergency response teams are distributing tents, relief supplies, and humanitarian assistance to an estimated 200,000 people displaced by the recent flooding.

In Balochistan, UNHCR is delivering 4,000 tents, 2,700 plastic sheets, 2,200 kitchen sets, and 4,000 plastic mats to the hardest hit areas.  The organization is also active in Kyber Pakhtunkhwa, where it has distributed 3,000 tents in Nowshera District.