Heavy rains have triggered flash floods and wreaked havoc across much of Pakistan since mid-June, leaving 903 dead and about 50,000 people homeless, the country’s disaster agency said Wednesday.
According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the floods have affected an estimated 2.6 million people in 2,439 villages of 58 districts in Punjab province and 1,879 villages of 36 districts in Sindh province. The death toll from the floods is likely to rise as more bodies are recovered from the waters, officials said. More than 1,600 people have been injured and over 50,000 left homeless by the floods, which have also damaged crops and infrastructure. Dozens of bridges and hundreds of homes have been washed away by the flood waters.
A woman interviewed by Reuters TV said that her mud house was leaking and she had to live in a rickshaw with her children. The rain has caused devastating floods and landslides, resulting in the death of hundreds of people and the displacement of millions.
Pakistan is prone to flooding due to its location between the Himalayas and the Indian Ocean. In 2010, some 20 million people were affected by floods that inundated one-fifth of the country.
The Pakistani army has deployed hundreds of troops and helicopters for rescue operations. Dozens of foreign aid workers have also arrived to help with relief efforts.
The Edhi Foundation is a Pakistani welfare organization that provides social services to the people of Pakistan. In the wake of the recent floods, they have mobilized teams to all affected areas in order to provide assistance. So far, they have rescued hundreds of people and provided much-needed supplies such as food, shelter, medical supplies, and other essential items. The Foundation is continuing to work around the clock to help those in need, and they remain committed to providing assistance until the floodwaters have receded and all affected communities have recovered.
Pakistan’s economy is in crisis
The recent floods in Pakistan have had a disastrous impact on the country’s economy. According to the World Bank, the floods have caused damage worth $9.7 billion, equivalent to 4.5% of Pakistan’s GDP. The flood-affected areas are some of the most productive parts of the country, and the loss of crops and livestock has had a devastating effect on food security. In addition, many people have lost their homes and livelihoods, and infrastructure has been badly damaged. The floods have also had a knock-on effect on other sectors of the economy, such as tourism and manufacturing. As a result, the floods have exacerbated Pakistan’s already fragile economic situation. The government is now facing an uphill struggle to rebuild the country and get the economy back on track.
Pakistani Government Asks for International Support in Recovery from Devastating Flooding
Prime minister Shahbaz Sharif has urged philanthropists to help flood-affected areas in Pakistan during a two-day official visit to Qatar.Pakistani authorities have been struggling to provide adequate aid and support to those affected, and have appealed for help from the global community. So far, several countries and organizations have offered assistance, including the United States, China, and the United Nations. It is hoped that with this support, Pakistan will be able to rebound from this disaster and begin rebuilding its communities.
A spokesman for the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said an initial assessment indicated that at least 200,000 people urgently need tents, clean water, and other necessities. Officials said that authorities have set up about 600 relief camps in provincial capitals and other cities for those whose homes were destroyed or inundated by floodwaters.- Associated Press Rescue workers have so far evacuated more than 18,000 people stranded by the floods, it said. The authority has appealed to the international community for help in dealing with the crisis.
The Prime Minister’s Relief Fund Account was established in 1948 to provide financial assistance to people affected by natural disasters. The Fund is managed by the Office of the Prime Minister, and all donations are tax-deductible. In recent years, the Fund has been used to provide relief to victims of floods, earthquakes, and tsunamis. The Fund is also used to support families of soldiers killed in action, and to help pay for medical treatment for disadvantaged children.
