The world drags its feet while millions suffer in Pakistan

Humanitarian crisis in Pakistan may lead to social unrest, many fear

Last updated: September 15, 2018 | 19:13

1 MIN READ

Dubai: While the international community is pondering how to provide emergency relief to Pakistan, millions of flood-affected people are without food or shelter.

It is now feared that the worst humanitarian crisis in Pakistan may lead to social unrest, threatening the integrity of the country if immediate emergency aid is not made available to starving people.

"Millions of hungry and homeless people are suffering not just because of massive floods, but mainly due to poor governance and very slow response from the international community," a top official told Gulf News from Islamabad on condition of anonymity.

"We don't have the resources to cope with a disaster of this huge magnitude. The world community has to hurry up ... lest it's too late."

The UN General Assembly finally met in New York yesterday to discuss how to hasten the delivery of aid, having received just over half of the $460 million (Dh1.69 billion) appealed for last week.

Pakistani flood-affected victims rush towards an army truck carrying relief food in Bassera village of Punjab province on August 20, 2010.

Pakistani flood-affected families travel through water as they return home to Bassera village in Punjab province on August 20, 2010 as floodwaters recede.

Children eat bread and onion in flood-ravaged Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan. The UN estimates that four million have been left homeless by the floods.

The UAE Army relief operation that is assisting Pakistan's flood-hit victims.

UAE army personnel involved in the relief operation in the flood hit Pakistan.

UAE military personnel in Chinook helicopters have rescued tens of thousands of people from the flood-affected areas of Pakistan

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