IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature

Floods in Pakistan – interview partners available

11 August 2010 | News story

Well-managed floodplains can help reduce the impact of disasters such as flooding, and help to decrease the vulnerability of cities and agricultural areas which lie in the path of devastating floods such as those in Pakistan.

The floods have not only caused damage to human life, which totals around 1,400 deaths so far and displacement of more than 3.2 million people, but also the loss of agriculture crops and key infrastructure.

Ecosystems provide the natural infrastructure needed to help control heavy erosion caused by flooding, and good land management and planning practices can help in maintaining natural floodplain areas as important water stores during flood events, bringing vital silt and nutrients to the floodplain and recharging groundwater reserves.

Wetlands and natural river channels can help in reducing the impact of large floods by slowing water flows and storing water as buffers to control flood peaks.

EXPERT OPINION

Interview opportunities with experts in IUCN’s Pakistan and Head Office:

Shah Murad Aliani, Country Representative, IUCN Pakistan
Email: shah.murad@iucn.org

James Dalton, Water Management Advisor, IUCN Water Programme
Email: James.dalton@iucn.org

TO BOOK INTERVIEWS FOR RADIO, TV AND PRINT PLEASE CONTACT:

Michael Dougherty, Regional Communications Coordinator, IUCN Asia Regional Office, t +66 2 662 4029 (ext 142), m +66 81 371 4687; e Michael.dougherty@iucn.org

Borjana Pervan, IUCN Media Relations Officer, t +41 22 999 0115, e borjana.pervan@iucn.org

Claire Warmenbol, IUCN Communications Manager, Water Programme, t +41 22 999 0188, e claire.warmenbol@iucn.org