(Cover photo by Globovision. Other photos courtesy Food For the Hungry/BBC.)
Pakistan (MNN) ― The death toll from Pakistan's worst floods stood near 1,200 at the beginning of this week, with waterborne disease emerging as a threat to survivors.
Flash floods and landslides were brought on by monsoon rains, displacing two million people in the northwest provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmir.
Aid is already on its way. The Pakistani army has mobilized tens of thousands of troops, rescuing 20,000 people from marooned areas.
Fortunately, because of the military's offensive against the Taliban, many humanitarian agencies were already in place. Additionally, millions of dollars' worth of aid is on its way as are rescue vehicles.
However, food and fuel are running low, so help is racing borrowed time. Bridges to some of the worst hit areas have washed away or broken apart with the force of the waters, making travel with humanitarian supplies nearly impossible. Some cities, such as Peshawar, are entirely cut off from the rest of the country.
There has been a break in the weather pattern, which helped some of the flooding to recede, but forecasters say more monsoon rains are on their way.
Peter Howard with Food For the Hungry says, "This is turning into a significant disaster that's having a major impact on the poor."
Food for the Hungry's Emergency response unit is still assessing the needs. However, their teams are readying themselves. "It's getting clean water, hygiene kits, and basic shelter materials like tarps, and tents, and even things like mosquito nets to keep malaria at bay. We have not yet begun our response. We're finding out how best we can support the efforts." In turn, Food for the Hungry also will be supporting the Gospel.
"If Food For the Hungry can come alongside local churches and local Christian organizations and support them, then those organizations not only will provide the immediate needs in the name of Christ, but they can be there in the long-term."
Pray for flood survivors, especially the thousands who are displaced from their homes and vulnerable to disease. You can help their Emergency Response unit as they reach out to help Pakistani families in need. Click here.
