Resources / Coordinator Syed Ayub Qutub uses the media to highlight the importance of hygiene in post-flood Pakistan

Humanitarian efforts continue after the devastating floods in Pakistan in recent months. WSSCC’s National Coordinator in Pakistan, Syed Ayub Qutub, has been doing his part to raise awareness about important WASH issues. In an article dated 5 September on The Beautiful Pakistan blog spot, he elaborated on the challenge of triggering hygiene behaviour change among the flood-effect population.

His article begins: “The images of swathes of drowned dwellings in the current flood have triggered a childhood memory. My father was Base Commander PAF Pattanga outside Chittagong when the tidal bore struck there in September 1960. It was a huge effort to clean up our house afterwards. Indeed, it is crucial to de-contaminate water supplies and to restore sanitation and drainage systems before routine living can start again in the flooded areas. It is also essential to undertake 'targeted hygiene' within the dwelling. While the procedures are simple and not costly, it is a concern that knowledge of the appropriate practices may not be widespread among the flood-affected populations.

This article calls for widespread sharing and extension of the best practices through the media and person-to-person communication.” From there, he proceeds to give advice on how to keep good hygiene practices going even after the flood disaster. To read this excellent article, visit the following link: http://thebeautifulpakistan.blogspot.com/2010/09/cleaning-up-after-flood.html