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Pakistan Hit By Worst Flood In 80 Years
by Brian McAfee
Reports out of Pakistan now indicate that about 1,500 people have lost their lives and tens of thousands have been left homeless. This year's 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, sanitation and medicine. Homes, bridges, roads and agricultural land has been swept away leaving scores of families with no place to live and no livelihood.
The potential for disease is high among flood victims as, for most, there is no fresh water and the threat of water borne illnesses is high. Indeed, the monsoon, which began a week ago, has permanently displaced hundreds of thousands of people, particularly children. Of the three million plus impacted by the floods, UNICEF workers in the region report that one million of them are children.
The government representatives of Pakistan have stated that they expect the need in the devastated region to be significant for at least the next four to six months. Some of the damage could even last longer.
Pakistani Professor M. Iqbal Khan stated that he believes that the melting glaciers is the main cause of the floods. In an interview with the Associated Press of Pakistan, he 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 goes on to state that the apparent gradual Himalayan glacial melt will continue to exasperate future floods in the region. Professor Khan's glacial melt theory has been reiterated by recent National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) findings.
I encourage everyone who is able to assist those harmed by the flood in Pakistan. Donations can be made to the aid organization of choice (specifying Pakistan flood relief). Some of the names and contacts 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
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I welcome any thoughts, comments or suggestions. - Brian brimac6@hotmail.com
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