Pakistan Floods: Government Declares National Emergency – Top News Today
On Saturday, Pakistan’s government announced that it had declared a national emergency in response to the country’s worst floods in 80 years. We will do everything we can to help affected people, said Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani during a press conference on Sunday, according to the BBC. The Pakistani government, along with aid agencies and international donors, are expected to work together in the next few weeks to support those who have lost their homes and possessions as well as those who may be at risk of contracting diseases such as cholera and malaria.
At a Glance
The Pakistani government has declared a national emergency in the wake of devastating floods that have left hundreds dead and millions homeless. aid agencies are struggling to cope with the scale of the disaster, with many people still stranded. The Pakistani army has been deployed to help with rescue efforts, and the government has appealed for international assistance. The floods have caused widespread damage to infrastructure and crops, and it is feared that the death toll could rise further as more bodies are found. Aid agencies are struggling to provide relief to those affected. The problem we’re having now is identifying where the floodwaters have gone so we can get access to the communities who need our help, said Imtiaz Iqbal of Oxfam in Pakistan. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged donors on Monday to give generously to relief efforts in Pakistan. I am deeply saddened by this catastrophe and call on all members of the international community — governments, civil society organizations, UN entities — to do what they can at this time of urgent need, he said. At least 1,600 people were killed and 20 million others made homeless after weeks of torrential rain turned parts of Pakistan into a vast inland sea last week. Relief officials say the number will continue to climb as more victims succumb to disease or exposure while trying to save their belongings or find food in displacement camps. The United Nations estimated over one million homes had been destroyed by the rising waters when it announced an appeal for $459 million (£268m)to launch an emergency operation. Those living in rural areas may be worst hit, according to the UN's Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). As much as two thirds of southern Sindh province remains underwater and there are fears that drinking water supplies could be contaminated. Tens of thousands have already sought refuge from the villages around Hyderabad city following predictions from meteorologists that new rainfall could lead to flash flooding. OCHA estimates four million people may be displaced because of this flooding, which was triggered by unusually heavy monsoon rains in recent weeks. It is feared that many people have lost their livelihoods and also face serious health risks due to inadequate sanitation. In some towns, 70% of schools have been closed, leaving children unable to attend classes. Ongoing rains forecast for the coming days threaten to create even greater misery. It is not clear how long it will take before power stations resume operating at full capacity - some had been submerged under several feet of water - but without electricity water pumps cannot operate and sewage treatment plants are no longer functioning properly.
The Human Cost
The floods in Pakistan have killed over 1,600 people and affected millions more. The Pakistani government has declared a national emergency in response to the disaster. More than 20 million people are in need of assistance, including over 4 million who have been displaced from their homes. The United Nations has released $13 million in emergency funds to help with relief efforts. Over 1,000 schools have been destroyed and many health facilities are overwhelmed. The Pakistani army is working around the clock to rescue those stranded and provide relief supplies. However, the scale of the disaster is vast and the needs are great. It will take years for life to return to normal for many people in Pakistan. As it recovers, it will be important for countries all over the world to come together and work on rebuilding communities in order to minimize future disasters like this one. There's still a long way to go before there's true peace. But as we rebuild, we can do our best to make sure that events like these never happen again. We must care about our fellow human beings no matter where they live or what they believe in. For example, if you want to donate money but don't know how much to give, please use the following guidelines: Families with an income below $2000 per year should give $100-200; families with an income between $2000-$4000 should give between $200-300; families with an income between $4000-$6000 should give between 300-400; families with an income of more than $6000 should donate at least 400. Remember that every dollar counts!
What is Happening
According to the latest reports, the Pakistani government has declared a national emergency in response to devastating floods that have struck the country. More than 1,000 people have been killed and over two million displaced as a result of the floods, which began last week. The Pakistani army is currently working around the clock to rescue those stranded and provide relief to those affected. However, with more rain forecast in the coming days, the situation is expected to worsen before it gets better. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this disaster. We hope for an early recovery and restoration of peace for our fellow Pakistanis. To help, please consider donating to the American Red Cross. Their efforts have helped provide clean water and shelter to thousands of people who have lost everything. Please visit their website today to learn how you can get involved too!
Why it's Happening
Pakistan is facing one of the worst floods in its history. The government has declared a national emergency, and aid organizations are struggling to keep up with the needs of the millions of people affected. The floods have caused widespread damage to infrastructure and have displaced millions of people. Aid organizations are appealing for donations to help with the relief effort. World Vision, for example, is asking for $50 million to help provide food, water and shelter to flood victims.
Some small villages are being evacuated due to landslides. However, many more villages remain inundated by water as communities struggle with diminishing supplies of food and clean drinking water. Relief workers say that children will be among the most vulnerable victims if immediate action isn't taken.
Is There any Hope?
The Pakistani government has declared a national emergency in the wake of devastating floods that have killed hundreds and displaced millions. The death toll is expected to rise as the floodwaters make their way through the country.
The Pakistani army has been deployed to help with rescue and relief efforts, but it is unclear how effective they will be in the face of such a large-scale disaster. Many roads and bridges have been washed away, making it difficult for aid to reach those who need it most.
The United Nations has warned that the floods could create a humanitarian crisis on a scale not seen since the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called for an urgent international response, saying The needs are overwhelming.
It's hard to know what will happen next. Will the monsoon rains abate? Will the world provide enough assistance? Is there any hope?
Which Countries are Helping?
The Pakistani government has declared a national emergency in the wake of devastating floods that have affected millions of people.
The Pakistani army is working to rescue stranded residents and provide relief supplies, but they need help.
International aid organizations are on the ground providing assistance, and many countries have pledged money and supplies to help with the relief effort.
The United Nations has released $50 million from its emergency fund to help with the relief efforts, and countries like China, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates have all pledged money as well.
Other countries like Australia and India are sending supplies like food, medicine, and tents.
The Pakistani government has asked for international assistance to help deal with this natural disaster, and many countries are already helping out. It will take months or even years before life returns to normal for those who have been affected by these floods, but we can all do our part by donating or volunteering. If you want to help Pakistanis get back on their feet, consider donating to an organization like the Red Cross or Oxfam.
You can also volunteer your time if you don't have any cash to spare. There are so many ways you can help those who have lost everything. Let's not forget about them now when it's not difficult to make a difference!
To keep up-to-date on developments and find out how you can help, follow hashtags like #PKFloods and #Pakistan on Twitter or search for Facebook pages like Help Pakistan or Disaster in Pakistan.
Where can I donate?
The Pakistani government has declared a national emergency in the wake of devastating floods that have killed hundreds and displaced millions. If you would like to help, here are some ways you can donate. World Vision provides food, water, shelter, education, health care and livelihood support to flood victims. The organization is seeking donations from anyone who is able to give. For those unable to donate money but want to do something for Pakistan's flood victims there are also other ways you can help out with items such as canned food and clothes for people who need them or money (if possible) for food or even supplies if possible.
Another way you could help is by volunteering with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity or World Neighbors- an international nonprofit organization dedicated exclusively to long-term development programs that empower families living in poverty around the world. There are many ways to donate your time or skills. You could sign up for their newsletter, buy products on their website or volunteer at any one of their centers across the country and abroad. We hope you will join us in providing relief to those affected by this natural disaster.
For more information on how you can help visit our blog post entitled Pakistan Floods: Ways To Help. As we all know disasters can happen anywhere, anytime and they hit hardest when they occur close to home. Whether it be earthquakes in Haiti or the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, these events are often met with great generosity of spirit which reflects the best aspects of humanity - caring for each other during times of need. Sadly, few charities come away unscathed after a major event. Fraudsters often swoop in to take advantage of donors while legitimate charitable organizations struggle to make ends meet after the initial response phase subsides.
To avoid being taken advantage of please review guidelines established by the Better Business Bureau before making a donation and consult Charity Navigator when researching an organization before giving them money or donating your time and skills. Charity Navigator rates nonprofits based on accountability so that donors can confidently make informed decisions about where their hard earned dollars go. They use four measures - financial performance, accountability & transparency, governance & leadership, and program effectiveness -to assign stars rating from 1-4 stars; 4 stars being the highest rating attainable.
Further Reading
The Pakistan government has declared a national emergency in the wake of devastating floods that have killed hundreds and displaced millions. The military has been called in to assist with relief efforts, and the government is appealing for international aid. The Pakistani people are facing their worst humanitarian crisis since independence from Britain in 1947.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said he was deeply pained by the disaster, which he blamed on climate change, but his critics accused him of being more concerned about preserving power than helping victims.
It will take at least two months before we can start reconstruction, said Punjab's Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. He warned there would be huge shortages of food, medicine and other essentials as winter approaches.
International rescue teams are arriving to help dig people out and find those who might still be alive in the rubble left by the rising waters. The death toll is expected to rise significantly over coming days as many areas remain inaccessible because of flooding or lack of electricity. About three million people have been forced from their homes and villages into makeshift camps. There is no shortage of global concern, but much less cash available to deal with such emergencies in countries like Pakistan where basic infrastructure already provides few services to meet needs.
Many experts say that years of low rainfall followed by unusually heavy rains combined with melting glaciers may be caused by global warming and such disasters could become increasingly common across South Asia.
The country's last major natural disaster was an earthquake in 2005 that killed more than 75,000 people
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