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We at the Center of South Asian and Indian Ocean Studies
are deeply concerned about the recent devastation in Pakistan
caused by the worst floods in living memory and extend our
strong sympathy and support for the hapless victims. To date
the catastrophic floods have displaced a staggering twenty
million people, including six million children, and left a
fifth of the country underwater. Some 1600 deaths have been
reported and the toll is expected to rise with the spread of
water borne diseases. There has been incalculable damage to
private properties, public infrastructure, and 4.25 million
acres of agricultural land in all four provinces of Pakistan.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
has issued an urgent appeal for help, noting the looming dangers
of disease and death unless the victims are provided food aid,
shelter and medicines.
Torrential rains in late July and August have also caused
destruction and deaths in the Ladakh region of neighboring
Kashmir. But the sheer magnitude of the devastation in Pakistan
has dwarfed other recent natural disasters, including the Asian
tsunami of 2004 and the 2005 earthquake in Kashmir and adjoining
areas. The millions who have been displaced were already living
below the poverty line and whatever little possessions and assets
they had have been swept away, and their crops destroyed by the flood.
The public infrastructure - including access roads and bridges -
has either collapsed or been badly damaged. There is a desperate
need for temporary shelter, clean drinking water, and toilets to
avert a public health catastrophe. People also need basic goods
and essential medical care.
We urge all of you to step forward to help in any way you can.
There are many organizations that are doing commendable humanitarian
work in Pakistan right now. To help direct those of you who would like
to help, here is a list of a few organizations that you could consider
supporting in their Pakistan flood relief efforts:
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