Fairtrade producers affected by floods in Pakistan

Though original reports stated that flooding in Pakistan had not affected Fairtrade producers, conditions have worsened for families in the Northern reaches of Pakistan. Recent information from Syed Amjad Ali Shah, the FLO liaison officer in Rawalpindi, Pakistan states that in the Baltistan region of Gilgit 52 people have died and a landslide in the Gizar area took 20 lives. The Gilgit area is home to a number of Fairtrade certified farmers.

"Gilgit is surrounded by the Karakoram, Himalayas and Hindukush mountains in Northeast Pakistan. The Karakoram Highway, the only road in the area, is blocked due to the destruction of three main bridges since July 28th. The road will remain closed until new bridges can be built. We have an acute shortage of food stuffs, fuel and power due to the destruction," said Sher Ghazi of Mountain Fruit, a group of Fairtrade-certified producers in Gilgit. (05 August 2010).
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