The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Yousuf Raza Gilani said yesterday that the nation’s worst ever disaster, the flood from Monsoon rains which has been ravaging all the provinces of Pakistan over this last month, has affected up to 20 million people. The disaster has eclipsed the scale of the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan and the 2010 earthquake in Haiti put together. According to the UN, one­fifth of Pakistan, about the size of Florida, has been flooded. This is a disaster of enormous magnitude and unimaginable proportions.

There is extensive damage to infrastructure and transportation routes, hampering the provision of essential services. Rushing water has washed away thousands of acres of crops, government buildings, businesses, schools, bridges and homes. People are left with nothing and their chances of survival are dependent upon their receiving aid in time.

Villages and towns have been wiped out, scores of people have been killed and injured, the number of which is still rising. Victims of the flood are temporarily being housed in tents, schools, government buildings and other places. There is grave concern over children’s health and nutrition. Skin diseases, chest infections and stomach­-related disorders such as diarrhea are spreading among the displaced people. Water­borne diseases from contaminated wells threaten, and the UN has now reported the first case of Cholera.

The government of Pakistan has launched massive rescue and relief operations in all the affected areas, utilizing all available resources to help those affected. All the government officials and institutions including the President and the Prime Minister are involved in this relief operation but owing to the large scale of the disaster, the Pakistani government alone is not able to tackle the tragedy until the international community comes forward to share the burden. 

Relief goods needed by victims

The victims need the following relief and emergency aid:
Food
Drinking water
Emergency health services
Shelter kits
Kitchen sets
Plastic mats
Emergency medicine kits
Hygiene kits
Emergency drinking water kits and jerry cans
Clothes
Kerosene stoves
Mattresses

This is a mega disaster that requires world to mount a “Mega response”. The calamity has hit people from all faiths, castes and creeds and the enormity of the calamity is beyond all calculation. The flood waters know no border, no boundary and a large number of hapless survivors, defying hunger and illness are waiting for help. Diadem International has identified the need for the Christian community of the Kingdom of God to express love to our neighbours, the people of Pakistan, by our response to the need for prayer and practical help and support. Diadem is partnering with local people on the ground to channel funds that you give to assist in the relief effort.

Appeal 

This is no localized disaster, it will affect virtually everybody in the country either directly or indirectly and its impact is going to be felt for years to come. Those in Pakistan make the following plea for help:
- Kindly extend immediate help or any kind of support for these flood victims so they may be rescued in this hour of need.
- Kindly pray for those who have lost their dear ones and all their valuable possessions, so our Lord may give them courage to bear the loss of their dear ones.
- Kindly pray for the Lord Almighty to protect the victims and give them strength to face this calamity with courage.
 
Please also pray:
• According to the BBC, the UN has received or had pledged $325m of the $460m it has requested in emergency aid from the international community, but still needs more to help. With past students in Pakistan, Lesley-Anne is in a position to be able to help in this way also. Please pray that the international community will step forward to help financially. Please contact anyone of influence in your own nation to entreat them to assist, such as members of parliament or wealthy business-people. Please ask God if you are to participate financially yourself
• A US official said militants planned to attack foreigners delivering aid to the millions of people affected by the devastating floods. One Taliban spokesman told Associated Press that the presence of foreign aid workers was "unacceptable". Although there have been no attacks since the humanitarian crisis unfolded, please pray protection for foreigners delivering aid in Pakistan
• “Millions more than those reported are still at peril as the bloated Indus River is cresting in parts of Sindh province. In some areas, the Indus has expanded to 12 miles from its usual width of one mile.” 14% of Pakistan’s land under cultivation is flooded
• Please pray that God will stop the rains, heal the land and save the people

Adapted from a news report by RTT News and the BBC, with added comments from people in Pakistan and Diadem International (Sunday 15/ Friday 27 August 2010)