President Asif Ali Zardari has launched an international appeal to provide assistance for the millions of people affected by this year’s floods triggered by torrential rains in the country.
With the new spell of monsoon in southern Sindh, hundreds of people have lost their lives and over five million have been displaced. According to official data, over four million acres of land has been inundated; 2.5 million acres of crops have been destroyed and over a million houses have been damaged or washed away.
The president on Thursday appealed to the international community for humanitarian and rehabilitation assistance. He also requested UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to mobilise the international community for urgently needed relief assistance in wake of the devastation left by the floods.
“President Asif Zardari talked to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon by telephone today and requested him to issue an international appeal for assistance to the flood-affected people,” presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar told AFP. He said Zardari visited his native Nawabshah and other flood-affected towns to review the relief work before speaking from Karachi with the UN chief.
A team of UN agencies is currently visiting the affected areas for a needs assessment. Zardari has also appealed to the people of Pakistan, including the expatriate community, to make generous contributions and assist in the rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts for millions of their compatriots affected by this natural calamity.
Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Zafar Iqbal Qadir had earlier stated that NDMA, PDMA and district authorities, with the support of collaborative partners such as UN and other agencies, would assess the damages first to determine the needs of the victims.
Qadir said that Pakistan has the capacity and enough funds to deal with the disaster; however if the magnitude of the disaster is huge, the need to launch an international appeal may arise.
With a forecast of more rains, even in areas of Sindh where water is stagnant are expected to face more floods adding to the damage and cost.
In the wake of the severity and scale of this natural disaster, urgent humanitarian assistance is required to save lives and continue rescue operations. The most pressing requirements at the moment are for tents, aqua tablets, water purification equipment, food supplies, de-watering pumps and medicines. (Additional input from AFP)
Published in The Express Tribune, September 9th, 2011.
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I dont know what is wrong with u guys.u know he is baloch and baloch r known for thier high pride and loyalty.but he is accepting money for us and also when someone tells us that he will not beg for donations then we start to critisize him that he is kicking us but when someone asks smthng we accuse him of begging.in reality,we have not accepted zardari from heart.Thats why we r always criticizing it. we also ciritisize him that he is reconcilating with other parties but we tell him and the united states to reconcilate with talibans.why is this hypocricy?. we at the same time accuse them about harsh language but when they keep mum and speak in a polite way, we accuse them of many crimes like in case of mqm and rhman malik our president is good but we r not.when US was giving us grains on camels with a plate on which thankyou america was written nobody objected it.why? bcoz of fear. zardari had given too much freedom.NObody even media in the past never publicly blamed any political party or armed forces bcoz of fear and lack of freedom but zardari had given them liberty.even they tell in talkshows about it.would anyone dared it in the past same about musharraf? these media persons have known abut the militant wings and the deeds of some of our armed officers in the past.had they told us about this ever? i m afraid the answer is no.they are now putting the blame on Zardari although i m less in age but when i remaned neutral thinking about it.i found zardari great
Rains and devastation caused is there for over a month. Government has realised it very late to appeal to international community for humanitarian help. It should have been done much earlier when people were asking the authorities to do it.
Instead of lampooning the government why don't you all go and donate some money? clothes? food? And encourage others to do the same?
.. and the misery of the flood victims continues.. Abandoned by its own government .. sigh.. As experienced in last year's flood situation, most of the foreign aid will never reach the actual flood victims... sigh..
Considering the nature of the disaster, a victim is a victim. It's wrong to ignore it and not help when it's needed. But, if the help comes, at least put some effort into not pretending it never happened after the fact as usual.
Where is your bestest all weather friend China? Shouldn't they be already there helping you?
On a serious note, what have you done with the millions you got after last years devastating floods? Any levy's anywhere? Working on any dams for flood control or did all the money end up in dams known as the Swiss Banks?
@rikky: If Pakistan decides to trade Mr AQ Khan to USA for questioning, it will easily get about 2 billion dollars.
zardari says Nawaz keep ur Bowl ready toooo as MQM is busy with Zulfi . wel get our share from UN
so it was ok to beg last year when floood affected whole pakistan mainly punjab... but not now because it is affecting mainly sindh? comeon ppls sindh is also part of pakistan ... this years rain and flood is worst then last years because 95% of sindh have been affected ... if u cant do anything to help ppls then just keep ur mouth shut ... dont punish the ppls of sindh because they vote idiots like zardari ... last year i seen whole pakistan mobilised to help ppls of pakistan but this year i cant see any fund raising or marathons only army is helping ppls with help of govt so far ...
.. and where is our prime minister?
Pakistan has become a beggar state. Just look at weather maps for India and Bangladesh and you will see much more rains there, yet they manage all at their own. Pakistan received huge funds for Earthquake reconstruction 2005 (almost US$ 6 billion) but most of it was squandered away by bureaucrats. Six years after the EQ, people have still not been rehabilitated. Donors are not fools, you will get less and less help each time.
Dont pay taxes people and then beg beg beg .... we ll remain beggers forever cos neither does awam is sincere with this country nor the rulers :(
Pakistan has money to develop and maintain 100 nuke but does'nt have to help its people in need. I think pakistan should ask from china but wait last flood was massive but still china has given its all weather friend only 10 million so how much they will give this time.
How big is the bowl this time?
What ridiculous? When shall we stop begging to every country on the planet? What have we done since the last flood? How much did we spend on prevention measures? Instead we are buying nonsense defense toys and politicians and establishment piling up millions in foreign accounts. Why would a third country taxpayer pay for our mismanagement? My head down with shame that we didnt do anything since last flood and go back to other countries for begging.
In a country where people take pride in not paying their taxes what else do you expect is going to happen?
Before getting into water, the President made sure that the whole district should not have electricity supply!!
UN Suggestion to Zardari: Control your spending for a month and help your people.
Infact they are alwasy waiting for a natural disaster to get fundings "cherities" from other rich countries and use these money for their own personal needs ...... they were, they are and they will remain beggers