Response Needed for Pakistan Floods 'Almost Incomprehensible'

pakistan-flood1111.jpg
A flood survivor wades through mud as he salvages belongings in Azakhel, near Nowshera, northwest Pakistan, Saturday, Aug. 14, 2010. A case of the deadly waterborne disease cholera has been confirmed in Pakistan's flood-ravaged northwest, and aid workers expect there to be more, the U.N. said Saturday. The discovery came as new flood surges hit the south and the prime minister said the deluge has made 20 million people homeless. AP/Aaron Favila

With an estimated 20 million people affected by the devastating floods in Pakistan, it is “almost incomprehensible” to imagine the response needed, said a Christian relief group Sunday.

“The scale of the response needed by all humanitarian actors is almost incomprehensible,” said Anita Cole, program development and quality director for World Vision Pakistan.

Cole said World Vision is assessing the situation in the Southern district of Sindh and preparing human and financial resources to ramp up programs in Pakistan to respond to the floods once immediate dangers are over.

World Vision has already distributed food and water to more than 21,000 people. Soon it plans to distribute water purification packets and hygiene kits to 150,000 people, tents to 22,500, cooking items to 75,000, and food to at least 37,500 people. The agency has also opened five emergency health clinics and treated more than 1,100 people who are suffering from water-borne diseases and other illnesses related to the floods.

Some 20 million people have been affected by the worst flooding in Pakistan’s history, said Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday. The area affected is roughly the size of Italy.

Billions of dollars worth of crops and food storages and nearly 900,000 homes were damaged in the massive flooding that began over two weeks ago. More than 1,500 people are dead and at least 2 million people are homeless.

“This has been a heart-wrenching day for me,” remarked U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to reporters on Sunday after flying over the affected areas with Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari. “I will never forget the destruction and suffering I have witnessed today. In the past I have witnessed many natural disasters around the world, but nothing like this.”

“The scale of this disaster is so large so many people, in so many places, in so much need.”

The United Nations is seeking $459 million to help provide Pakistan’s flood-affected families with food, clean drinking water, shelter, medicine, and non-food items. As of Saturday, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that it has only received 20 percent, or $93 million, of the funding it needs for initial flood response.

A top priority for the OCHA is to provide clean water to flood victims amid the rising rate of diarrhea diseases. The U.N. plans to provide clean water and food to at least 6 million people as soon as possible.

“These unprecedented floods demand unprecedented assistance,” stated Ban. “The flood waves must be matched with waves of global support.”

The flooding follows a powerful earthquake that struck the country in 2008 and 2009. A massive earthquake had also hit in 2005 and a series of floods followed in 2006 and 2007. Additionally, millions of people had been displaced by a conflict between the Pakistan military and militants in the Northwest region of the country.

Relief groups highlighted that the Pakistani people had not recovered from the previous disasters when the current floods wiped away whatever little rebuilding progress they made.

“Again everything they had is taken away from them,” commented Dennis Joseph, associate director of Church World Service program in Pakistan. “At this moment it is not just their material well-being but also their physical well-being, which includes their mental well-being that is important.”

Ban noted during the news conference that more rain is expected in the coming weeks as Pakistan faces monsoon season.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.