Pakistan Flood Relief

As we have in past natural disasters, GSK is working closely with partner humanitarian organizations to assist in the response to the terrible floods in Pakistan.  And that includes our staff who live and work in that country.  The note below was posted on our internal company website:

GSK steps up response for Pakistan flood relief

The situation in Pakistan is changing rapidly as floods have swept down the country and even more rains are expected in the coming weeks.  As the needs are emerging, GSK Pakistan is stepping up its response, working with a number of organizations in all flood-affected areas to provide shelter, clean water, healthcare and food.

On August 18, GSK made a contribution of £100,000 (roughly $150,000) to support agencies which are organizing food and medicines distribution, including funds specifically earmarked for the World Food Programme (WFP), the International Red Crescent (IRC) and medicines to the provincial government agencies reaching some of the remotest areas.  

Despite huge logistical challenges, GSK Pakistan's medicines have been among the first to reach many marooned villages. Our donated medicines have been distributed by a variety of relief aid agencies such as the Abaseen Foundation, the first to reach 20,000 people in the remote Swat valley, and International Medical Corps (IMC) which rapidly mobilized six medical teams to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province in the immediate aftermath of the floods.  With a temporary halt in the rains, people have been able to make their way to the mobile clinics set up by IMC, which have conducted over 6,000 health consultations, treating some of the most pressing cases such as acute diarrhea, skin disease and acute respiratory infections.     

GSK Pakistan has also provided medicines to several other relief agencies reaching areas further south.  For example, the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA), working in Sindh, where widespread destruction has displaced an estimated 3.5 million people from their homes, and also the Pakistan's National Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Centre (HEPR) and The National Commission for Human Development (NCHD), which has already reached over 80,000 patients in mobile medical camps in all the flood affected districts.

In line with GSK's principles for humanitarian support, we are continuing to evaluate the ongoing healthcare needs and will provide further support at the request of the Ministry of Health and local/international NGOs who are involved in the recovery efforts. 

GSK Pakistan employees have been making contributions in cash and in kind. A number of international appeals have been launched.  Employees can make a personal donation via the following website links.

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Appeal

International Medical Corps has been operating in Pakistan since 1984, providing primary health care services and water/sanitation facilities to displaced Pakistanis as well as to Afghan refugees in the frontier areas.

US-based employees can send contributions to the American Red Cross, Box 37295, Washington, DC 20013, and earmark gifts for the Pakistan Floods Disaster.