Pakistan Floods

Pakistan Floods: A “slow-motion tsunami”

The facts

Since flooding began in Pakistan’s northwest three weeks ago, more than 1600 people have died, a fifth of the country is under water and more than 8 million people are in need of emergency assistance. In excess of 750,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed and 20 million people – close to Australia’s population – have been affected across the country. And it’s far from over.

Poor relief efforts

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki -moon has claimed the “slow-motion tsunami” in Pakistan is “one of the greatest tests of global solidarity in our times.” Yet it seems the global community is failing miserably. Donations to aid agencies have lagged far behind the extraordinary responses to other recent natural disasters around the world. Compared to the $10 million World Vision raised in the weeks following the Haiti earthquake in January, chief executive Tim Costello has lamented that only $785,000 has been raised in the three weeks since flooding in Pakistan began.

Insufficient media coverage is one reason for the slow response. Locally, Australia’s preoccupation with the federal election has been a distraction. A lack of hard-hitting, dramatic broadcast footage, as well as complacency over the relatively small death toll, has also been cited as factors in the poor response.

Prejudice and perceptions of corruption

Latent prejudices against Pakistan as a Muslim country have also been blamed for the Western world’s disappointing response. Aid workers have also referred to the “Pakistan factor”: the country’s links to the Taliban, war in Afghanistan and nuclear weapons testing that do nothing for the country’s image in the West.

There has also been reluctance to channel money through the Pakistani government, which has been accused of past corruption. The country’s current leader has been criticised for his handling of the disaster so far.

What’s needed

The special United Nations envoy for Pakistan’s flood disaster has said billions of dollars are required in order for the country to respond to the immediate emergency and further billions will be needed for the recovery and reconstruction in the months and years ahead.

As in the aftermath of any disaster, serious health risks have followed the initial death toll and destruction. The threat of a cholera epidemic is very real, as water-borne diseases spread easily when water sources are contaminated. Clean water, hygiene supplies, sanitation kits, food and shelter are the top priorities at this stage of the emergency.

Housing, infrastructure and agricultural reconstruction present almost overwhelming tasks for the Pakistani military and aid agencies on the ground.

In the long term, programs like stockpiling emergency supplies, drawing up disaster plans, educating communities and establishing early warning systems are also critically needed.

The Australian response

Naeem Haq , spokesperson for Australian Pakistani community group PakOz , believes that many members of local Pakistani community are giving independently to the large aid agencies, rather than donating to the Pakistani government-run fund. Some are also trying to get financial aid directly into the hands of affected family and friends but, given the chaotic circumstances, that’s proving near impossible. He says Ramadan has given the wider Muslim community an increased focus on giving generously but has also negatively impacted the community’s ability to organise a co-ordinated fundraising response.

On August 17, the Australian Government increased its financial commitment to $35 million. The money will go towards supporting emergency humanitarian relief efforts in the worst affected provinces.

Material aid

Blankets, clothing and other goods are not being accepted by the major aid agencies at this time.

The Consulate General of Pakistan (http://www.pakistan.org.au/info/details/76/announcements) has established a flood relief collection point in Sydney for tents, shoes, medicines, clothing and other items.

What you can do

Aid agencies need financial assistance to deliver emergency supplies, secure safe drinking water and restore sanitation before the spread of disease takes hold. Ensure your donation counts by giving now to any of the aid agencies’ Pakistani flood relief appeals listed on the GiveNow emergency giving page.