AsiaNews pledges help for Pakistan flood victims who lost everything
Tragic tales emerge from “God Save Us”, a village in Sindh province home to 45 Christian families. Local homes and livestock have been swept away even though it is located a kilometre from the Sindh River. In total, 70 per cent of Pakistan has been affected and more rain is on its way. Like in Noah’s times, “I pray to God to show us a rainbow,” said Fr Khalid Rasheed Asi who is asking for help: “[W]ithout your support these poor people cannot survive.” Through an active campaign for Pakistan, AsiaNews wants to raise funds for flood victims.
Sindh (AsiaNews) – The toll from heavy monsoon rains that hit most of Pakistan in the past few days is getting worse by the hour. Almost 70 per cent of the country (see red area in map) is struggling with the calamity but more torrential rains are expected.
“This is like we are living in prophet Noah’s times; everything is ruined. I pray to God to show us a rainbow now,” said Fr Khalid Rasheed Asi, a priest in Faisalabad, speaking to AsiaNews. “I humbly request all of you to come forward and support Pakistan because without your support these poor people cannot survive.”
According to the latest report, more than 1,200 people have lost their lives so far – thousands have been injured, more than 800,000 livestock have been washed away and a million homes have been destroyed.
Floods have devastated crops, houses, communication lines, the power grid, and the water supply. Some 200 bridges have collapsed, while more than 40 small dams have given way.
Such a picture of widespread devastation cannot leave AsiaNews and the PIME Foundation indifferent. We have decided to expand the AN05 fund – our active campaign in support of workers at Pakistani brick factories – in order to help the victims of the country’s latest calamity. Everyone can help by making an online donation here or through other channels indicated at the bottom of the article.
Such help can quickly reach smaller communities, which risk remaining on the margins of the aid process. Our correspondent in Pakistan, for example, has recently visited Singh province, the most affected, where most people live in small settlements and work as a day labourer.
One such place is Allah Bachao Shoro (God save us), a small village near Hyderabad, home to 45 Christian families along with another hundred Muslim and Hindu families. The entire settlement has been wiped out by floods and heavy rains, as the pictures accompanying this article show.
People who lived up to a kilometre away from the Sindh River are completely ruined and have lost their livestock and homes. Very few tents are available and residents live in conditions of destitution.
Completely cut off, they can only be reached by boat. The local church is also in very poor condition due to flood waters.
“These people have left with nothing. They are living in very miserable condition and fighting with different diseases because they do not have sufficient tents and other tools to cope with such situations,” said Imtiaz Masih, an activist from Hyderabad, speaking to AsiaNews.
“The most urgent need of these people is to provide them tents for living and food ration,” he added. “Only some people from nearby areas give them cooked food once in a day.
"Women and children are especially at risk. The coming three days will be very critical due to the forecast of more rain. Please help these people; they need your urgent support."
“I am totally heartbroken,” said Fr Khalid Rasheed Asi, “but I am praying to God Almighty to save his people. I truly feel that without the help of God's people living in other countries we cannot survive.
“The prices of everything are very high these days and the government is not doing enough for these ill-fated people. All places of worship are underwater.
"In endorse the words of Pope Francis in asking help for the Pakistani people. This flood is like another COVID-19 pandemic that the people of Pakistan are struggling with.”
It is also possible to help the Campaign for Pakistan Flood Victims by making donations to AN05 PAKISTAN EMERGENCY:
Online payment by credit card (Visa, Cartasì, Mastercard, American Express) or PayPal
Bank transfer payable to Fondazione Pime Onlus, Crédit Agricole
IBAN IT89M0623001633000015111283
Please always send an email to uam@pimemilano.com to confirm the transfer, with your name, address, fiscal code if a resident of Italy (or social security/national insurance number in other countries), place and date of birth. This information is needed to obtain a tax credit receipt.
Postal account No. 39208202 made out to Fondazione Pime Onlus.
Cheque or bank draft made out to Fondazione Pime Onlus, mailed to Fondazione Pime Onlus, via Monte Rosa, 81 – 20149 Milan, Italy
.png)
06/09/2022 17:19
