6 mn flood victims still waiting for aid in Pakistan

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Alex White

15 August, 2010

Millions of Pakistanis, waiting for the relief to reach them are frustrated with the fake promises and speeches of the government. They want to know when the food and water will reach them in actuality.

SEVERAL AGENCIES are working to bring relief to the flood victims in the Pakistan which has been trapped into one of the worst floods in decades. United Nations aid agencies have been working to distribute relief materials and aids to thousands of people but they still estimate that as many as 6 million of them are yet to be helped.

As many as 20 million of Pakistani population is affected by one of the worst natural calamities in nation’s history. This accounts for 12% of the total population of Pakistan. Six million of them are still in the need of food, shelter and water, as reported by UN in a statement.

Pakistani Prime Minister Raza Yusuf Gilani equated the tragedy with partition in 1947 which has caused huge loss of lives and the biggest mass migration in world’s recorded history.

The floods have killed at least 1,600 people and displaced millions within two weeks of the heavy downpour triggered by torrential monsoon that engulfed Pakistan's Indus river basin.

Victims are very dissatisfied with the efforts of the government and they are relying on the military and foreign aid agencies. They have accused the government of being too slow to address to the severity of the situation.

The anger among the people is spreading fast and it has raised social unrest and lawlessness in the flood affected region.

Showing great heart, Gilani and opposition leader Nawaz Sharif, Pakistan's most popular politician, vowed to work together in the bad times keeping the political differences aside.

"Politics at this time is haram (forbidden by Islam)," Sharif said in a joint news conference.

Millions of Pakistanis, waiting for the relief to reach them are frustrated with the fake promises and speeches of the government. They want to know when the food and water will reach them in actuality. It is the holy month of Ramzan and observing fast in these trying times is very tough when neither food nor water is available let alone shelter.

"The government has given us half a carpet. We have received rice and medicine from the government but no tent," said 22-year-old laborer Zarsheed.