Now is the time to help Pakistan. The devastating rainfall and floods over the past two days in the north-west of the country have made the districts of Swat and Shangla inaccessible, with 45 bridges having been destroyed in the Swat Valley alone. The government has declared a state of emergency after the largest amount of rain in decades has poured down over 36 hours.
The floods have killed more than 800 people so far and disrupted at least 1 million who are seeking shelter and help while their homes and fields are wrecked. In the next few days, the floodwater will move inexorably south, into Sind, where they will certainly cause more damage and destruction.
The Pakistan government has not formally appealed for help, but Pakistan's friends should get in touch and see what the country needs. The UAE has acted with commendable speed and efficiency and has sent supplies, including blankets, tents, medical items and foodstuff. Looking ahead, it is important that any new support or aid adds to what is already happening, without duplicating it unnecessarily. For example, over the past two days, 17 helicopters have been working, but it is clear that more are needed. The Pakistani armed forces have more helicopters, but it may be that even more are required.
The UN's Office for the Coordination for Humanitarian Assistance (UNOCHA) in Pakistan has said that the lives of one million people have been disrupted and UN aid workers are working with the government to co-ordinate efforts to provide shelter, health care, drinking water and ready-to-eat food rations. Now is not the time for international political point-scoring over Pakistan's difficult situation with Taliban and possible Al Qaida groups operating in the country. Pakistan's people need help within days for it to be of any use and the world should rally around and find what they can do to help, as soon as possible.
