National emergency: More than 900 killed in deadly rains and floods in Pakistan

Islamabad: Devastating rains that continue to batter most of Pakistan have set off flash floods that have killed dozens more than 903 people and injured nearly 1,300 since June, washed away roads, destroyed homes, and left many without food and electricity, officials say. At least 73 people lost their lives in the last 24 hours across the country.

The unprecedented rains and floods have affected almost 3.1 million in some 116 districts across the country since mid-June, according to the latest National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) report. Since June 14, at least 45,598 people have been rescued and about 184,061 people are currently in relief camps. The floodwaters have also damaged around 495,000 houses and killed about 708,098 livestock in the country. Floods have ravaged most parts of the country from Sindh to Balochistan to Punjab province and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Pakistan’s government said on Thursday that the flood situation in the country is a “national emergency”. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has appealed to everyone particularly the philanthropists and the international community to generously donate to help the flood victims. The government has promised to compensate those who lost homes in the floods.

Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman also called for immediate humanitarian and urged international partners to mobilise assistance admitting that the provincial and federal governments were incapable of dealing with the situation due to the magnitude of the disaster.

“People are adrift, livestock and crops are damaged. It is a humanitarian disaster of unprecedented monsoon proportions,” she said. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said he had “never seen a greater catastrophe” in his life as no area in the province of Sindh was safe from the devastation caused by the floods. Millions are homeless, over 1.5 million mud houses have been completely destroyed and crops spread over 2 million acres have been completely damaged in Sindh, Shah said.

Relief work continues in flood-affected regions

Pakistan’s national and provincial disaster management authorities have distributed thousands of tents, tarpaulins, mosquito nets, blankets, hygiene kits, kitchen sets, food packs, first aid kits, and hundreds of sleeping bags and life-saving jackets, de-watering pumps. UAE Red Crescent, KS Relief, Doaba Foundation, WHO, UNHCR, IRC, Muslim Aid, Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS), International Rescue Committee (IRC) and others are assisting the local authorities and Pakistani armed forces in evacuating stranded people and delivering food and relief items.

EU and China send flood relief supplies

Pakistan’s closest ally China has sent another batch of emergency humanitarian supplies including 25,000 tents for the people severely affected by the floods. The Red Cross Society of China will provide US$300,000 in emergency cash assistance to the Pakistan Red Crescent Society. China earlier sent 4,000 tents, 50,000 blankets and 50,000 pieces of waterproof canvas, which have been delivered to the flood victims.

The European Union (EU) is also providing €350,000 (PKR 76 million) to provide crucial humanitarian assistance to flood-hit families. “The devastating floods have left a trail of destruction in Pakistan, causing many to suffer the loss of their homes, livelihoods and belongings,” said Taheeni Thammannagoda, who oversees EU humanitarian programmes in Pakistan.

The EU aid will focus on addressing the urgent needs of those most affected in some of the hardest-hit districts of Jhal Magsi and Lasbela in Balochistan. The assistance includes the provision of cash transfers to help flood-stricken families to meet their immediate needs, food and healthcare.