The Pakistan government has declared the devastating flood currently lashing the country a “national emergency” after nearly 1,000 people have died and more than 30 million are without shelter as monsoon rains continue.
At least 937 people have died since mid-June, including 343 children, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), with large swaths of the southwestern province of Balochistan remaining submerged, bringing back the memory of the devastating 2010 flood.
Horrifying footage from S. #Pakistan today of entire building washed away by floods. Over 935 people killed, more than 33 million affected, worst natural disaster for country in decades: pic.twitter.com/aO6ZMlQycf
— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) August 26, 2022
The UN’s disaster relief agency Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on Thursday that at least 1,84,000 people have been displaced to relief camps. As the floodwater are gushing into the cities, Quetta, Ziarat, Khuzdar, Loralai, Pashin, Chaman, Panjgur, Zhob, Qila Saifullah and Qila Abdullah suffered a massive internet and telephone blackout on Friday noon, said the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA).
Pakistan is eighth on the Global Climate Risk Index, a list compiled by the environmental NGO Germanwatch of countries deemed most vulnerable to extreme weather caused by climate change.
Earlier this year much of the nation was in the midst of a drought and heatwave, with temperatures hitting 51 degrees Celsius (124 Fahrenheit) in Jacobabad, Sindh province.
The city is now grappling with floods that have inundated homes and swept away roads and bridges.
Within seconds this hotel in Kalam collapsed as the water on the otherwise of the building eroded the foundations within minutes. Such is the devastation Pakistan is going through right now. Everyone needs to HELP please. #PakistanFloods pic.twitter.com/NUMyBSByQ0
— Fakhr-e-Alam (@falamb3) August 26, 2022
Funding and reconstruction efforts will be a challenge for cash-strapped Pakistan, which is having to cut spending to ensure that the International Monetary Fund approves the release of much-needed bailout money.
Videos circulating on social media show hotels, link roads, suspension bridges, houses, hospitals, schools, mini power stations, and water mills being completely washed away as residents scramble to find refuge.
Minister for Climate Change Sherry Rehman said on Thursday that a “war room” has been set up by Prime Minister Sharif at NDMA, which would spearhead relief operations across the country. She said that the incessant “monstrous” rainfall had “made it hard to carry out relief operations, especially helicopter sorties”.
“Pakistan is going through its 8th cycle of monsoon; normally the country has only three to four cycles of [monsoon] rain,” the minister said during a press conference in Islamabad.
Pakistan is seeing its worst flood in a decade – here’s how you can help.
Prime Minister’s Relief Fund Account
The Government of Pakistan has notified the establishment of a flood relief fund, the Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund 2022, to provide relief and rehabilitation to the affected population due to torrential rains and flash floods in many parts of the country.
— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) August 27, 2022
You can also donate to many other NGOs that are working on ground:
DONATE NOW even Rs. 100 to share your Smiles with Humanity!!
The “Flood Affectees” NEED YOU. HELP your brothers and sisters in dire needs. YOUR little contribution will mean a Million to them.
YOU CAN… It’s NOW when they need you the most.#FloodRelief #Humanity #DonateNOW pic.twitter.com/yNpHoDjiCA
— Million Smiles Foundation (@MSfoundationPK) August 26, 2022
Standing firm against calamity, our heroes are working tirelessly to help those experiencing hardship.
Your support is critical in helping them do this noble work.
Empower our heroes to e unlimited reward – https://t.co/vp6rW3sJKH. pic.twitter.com/zekbfM9g2I
— Muslim Aid UK (@Muslim_Aid) August 27, 2022
!🦺🌧️ #Alkhidmat is on a mission to rescue flood affectees providing tents, food & medical camps while our Volunteers are going beyond every limit to help affectees.
Join us too by donating 👇https://t.co/GzZrsTWRU9 pic.twitter.com/n6YkM49ATq— Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan (@AlkhidmatOrg) August 23, 2022
The floods in Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan have taken many lives, homes and livelihoods of people. They need your urgent and help and support.
Donate now!
For direct deposit visit: https://t.co/MJ23sPtrkO
To donate online: https://t.co/mae9ogODBd
Or, contact: +92-346-111-777-1 pic.twitter.com/XdDvoMEoij— HANDS (@HANDSPakistan) August 24, 2022
