With the unprecedented relentless monsoon rains flooding since June affecting all four provinces, Pakistan has now turned into a humanitarian disaster zone affecting more than 30 million people in the country.
Continuing heavy rains have triggered flash floods sweeping away tens of thousands of homes in villages and towns leaving people stranded and homeless.
More than 1000 people have died due to floods this summer with damage to almost one million homes with half a million people living with friends, relatives, relief camps and many just outside.
The floods have washed away many roads, destroying more than 150 bridges making rescue operations supplies to stranded people very difficult.
Climate change has caused erratic weather conditions in Pakistan, resulting in cloudbursts and excessive melting of glaciers that has swelled rivers breaking their banks and flooding low lying areas.
Climate experts say that limiting planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions will help limit more drastic weather events around the world.
“In recent decades, we never witnessed such an unusual heavier downpour in Pakistan,” scientist Shahla Gondal told The Associated Press news agency, adding that authorities are ill-equipped and “do not know how to tackle” flooding disasters.
The United Nations says it has allocated $US3 million for aid agencies and their partners in response to the floods, with money to be used for health, nutrition, food security, and water and sanitation services in flood-affected areas, focusing on the most vulnerable.
Trucks carrying tents, food, and water arranged by Pakistan were also being dispatched to various parts of the country by the National Disaster Management Authority for tens of thousands of flood victims.
The government has declared a national emergency and appealed for international help. Flights have now arrived from Turkey and the UAE, carrying tents, food and other daily necessities.
A large number of Australian charities have mobilised and are appealing for donations of money and equipment to send to help Pakistani flood victims.
On Tuesday 30 August, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Australia will provide $2 million in support through the World Food Program to assist with “immediate humanitarian needs, particularly those disproportionately affected by the floods, including women, children and the vulnerable.”
“I extend Australia’s deepest sympathies and condolences to the families and communities that have lost loved ones, and those whose lives and livelihoods have been affected,” Senator Wong said in a statement.
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