Contact: Kimberlee Philip, CARE, 0419 567 777, (02) 62790 0250

MEDIA ADVISORY, July 5 /Standard Newswire/ -- CARE's Emergency team is currently assessing the needs of people in Pakistan affected when cyclone Yemyin struck early last week. Limited communication and access to the affected regions has hampered relief efforts, but initial accounts report that hundreds of people are dead and over two hundred thousand are homeless.

Cyclone Yemyin hit the coastal areas of Pakistan with winds of up to130 kmph dumping torrential rain and causing flash flooding. Over 2 million people have been affected and warnings by the Pakistani Meteorological Department of more heavy rains to come could cause this number to rise significantly.

"So far CARE and other aid organisations are working together to assess the full extent of the disaster and identify the areas of need," says CARE's Emergency Response Officer Chris Northey.

With more rains predicted for the North Western Frontier Province, still recovering from the devastating 2005 earthquake which killed more than 86,000 people, the impact on this already vulnerable group will be high.

CARE was extensively involved in relief efforts after the 2006 earthquake assisting 80,000 families with emergency shelter and assistance. CARE is also working in the areas of education, health, water and sanitation and infrastructure and housing.