Media watch: Floods, epidemics, extremists and aid

As floods continue, the world raises more aid for the affectees, while the UN says it is still not enough.

Media watch is a daily round-up of key articles featured on news websites, hand-picked by The Express Tribune web staff.

Floods raise spectre of unrest, extremism

Concerns have been widely raised that in the long-term religious charities, which are exploiting the aid vacuum to provide welfare, could mirror patterns in Lebanon with Hezbollah and in Gaza with Hamas. “People will say religious groups deliver, the state does not, so the power of the mosque and of the madrassa will get stronger,” said Bengali. (dailytimes.com.pk)

Canada to match aid provided by its citizens to Pakistan

The Canadian government, which last week announced 32 million dollars for victims of Pakistan's historic floods, said Sunday it would give more aid by matching the amount donated by its citizens. (dawn.com)

52 died due to epidemics in Jaffarabad

After entrance of more flood tides from three sides into Jaffarabad, water level has risen by 13-15 feet as PDMA has confirmed displacement of 1.1 million people with 40 killed by flood and 52 other by breakout of gastro-enteritis, cholera and other waterborne diseases. (brecorder.com)

Larkana at jeopardy; Akil Loop bund eroded

The surging floods are still wreaking havoc in Sindh areas, where Larkana’s Akil Loop bund has suffered erosion of 60 feet of its length, Geo News reported Monday. DCO Qambar Yasin Shar issued the final caveat to the residents of Shahdadkot for thorough evacuation of the city. (thenews.com.pk)

UN official attacks international response to Pakistan floods crisis

Louis-George Arsenault, the director of emergency services for Unicef, said the flooding was the biggest humanitarian crisis in decades. "One of the major challenges that we have, which is quite extraordinary, is the lack of level of support from the international community," he was quoted as saying by the Guardian. (nation.com.pk)

Pakistan aid target 'reaches 70%'

The UN says it has now raised close to 70% of the $460m (£295m) it called for in its emergency appeal. Some $54m are in uncommitted pledges, and $263m are resources available now. In the UK, relief agencies have said public donors have given £29m ($45m) to the relief effort.They also said the international response had been slow to build up, but that they had received more donations in the second week than the first week, which was rarely seen in such appeals. (bbc.co.uk)