Pakistan Hit By Worst Flood In 80 Years
By Brian McAfee
05 August, 2010
Countercurrents.org
Reports out of Pakistan now indicate that about 1,500 people have lost their lives and tens of thousands have been left homeless. This years monsoon, which began July 28, is said to have affected 3.2 million people in northwest Pakistan. The most urgent need is clean drinking water followed by food, shelter and sanitation and medicines. Homes, bridges, roads and agricultural land has been swept away leaving scores of families with no homes or livelihood.
The potential for disease is high among flood victims as for most there is no fresh water and the threat of water born diseases is high. The monsoon, which began a week ago, has permanently displaced hundreds of thousands of people, particularly children. Of the three million plus affected by the floods UNICEF reports that one million of them are children.
The government of Pakistan have stated that they expect the need in the affected region to be significant for at least the next 4 to six months.
Pakistani Professor M. Iqbal Khan stated that he believes the melting glaciers is the main cause of the floods. In an interview with the Associated Press of Pakistan Prof Khan stated "It is the glaciers which are adding fuel to the fire and due to the melting of glaciers the flood situation is aggravated," he oes on to say that the apparent gradual Himalayan glacial melt will continue to exasperate future flooding. Professor Khan's glacial melt theory has been reiterated by recent National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) findings.
I encourage everyone who are able to assist those affected by the flooding in Pakistan to donate to the aid organization of their choice (specifying Pakistan flood relief). The names and e-mails of organizations active in Pakistan are Save the Children www.SavetheChildren.org, OXFAM www.OxfamAmerica.org, Greater Good www.GreaterGood.org and CARE www.CARE.org
I welcome any thoughts, comments or suggestions.-
