Pakistani PM cancels UN trip because of Sindh floods
Yousaf Raza Gilani is set to visit affected areas, will supervise aid operations. Six million people are displaced, 200,000 are homeless and 1.7 million acres are under water. Cases of malaria and dysentery are up and at least 7,000 people suffered snakebites. Ordinary people seem resigned to the “will of Allah”.
Islamabad (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani cancelled a trip to New York for the General Assembly of the United Nations next week following huge floods that hit the southern part of the country, killing hundreds of people with millions more left homeless. The Prime Minister’s Office said Gilani would remain home to coordinate aid operations. Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar will take his place at the UN. The decision has been met by positive reactions online; many Pakistani internet users appreciate and agree with the choice. Readers have written to newspaper websites to express the same view, saying the premier’s decision was a “good idea”.
Floods in Sindh Province have affected so far six million people. However, many fear that floodwaters will remain for months in some areas.
Humanitarian agencies and NGOs have launched appeals, asking for immediate action to cope with the disaster.
Last year, Pakistan was hit by a similar devastating flood but on that occasion the country’s leaders, including both president and prime minister, were roundly criticised for their failure to help the victims. In fact, months later, rehabilitation work from last year is far behind schedule.
Recently Prime Minister Gilani was in Iran on an official visit, whilst President Asif Ali Zardari was in London on a private visit. But this time, the Prime Minister’s Office was quick to issue a statement saying that he would be visiting areas hit by the floods tomorrow and supervise operations to help the victims.
Local sources confirmed that this year’s floods in Sindh are as bad as last year’s. Six million people have had to flee, 200,000 have lost their homes and 1.7 million acres of arable land are under water.
Two million people are also sick with diseases caused by the torrential rain. The number of cases of malaria and dysentery are steadily rising, and at least, 7,000 people have suffered snakebites.
Pakistan’s Meteorological Department reported that the amount of rain that fell in Sindh in the past few weeks was three times the normal level. In the most affected areas, it was eight times.
"This year the river is quiet and the catastrophe came from the skies," said Idrees Rajput, a consultant with the Provincial Irrigation Ministry.
Among Pakistanis, a mood of resignation has set in. "We spent months [away from home] last year because of floods, and it seems we have to do it again. What can we do? It is the will of Allah," said Ashraf Jatoi, 45.
Floods in Sindh Province have affected so far six million people. However, many fear that floodwaters will remain for months in some areas.
Humanitarian agencies and NGOs have launched appeals, asking for immediate action to cope with the disaster.
Last year, Pakistan was hit by a similar devastating flood but on that occasion the country’s leaders, including both president and prime minister, were roundly criticised for their failure to help the victims. In fact, months later, rehabilitation work from last year is far behind schedule.
Recently Prime Minister Gilani was in Iran on an official visit, whilst President Asif Ali Zardari was in London on a private visit. But this time, the Prime Minister’s Office was quick to issue a statement saying that he would be visiting areas hit by the floods tomorrow and supervise operations to help the victims.
Local sources confirmed that this year’s floods in Sindh are as bad as last year’s. Six million people have had to flee, 200,000 have lost their homes and 1.7 million acres of arable land are under water.
Two million people are also sick with diseases caused by the torrential rain. The number of cases of malaria and dysentery are steadily rising, and at least, 7,000 people have suffered snakebites.
Pakistan’s Meteorological Department reported that the amount of rain that fell in Sindh in the past few weeks was three times the normal level. In the most affected areas, it was eight times.
"This year the river is quiet and the catastrophe came from the skies," said Idrees Rajput, a consultant with the Provincial Irrigation Ministry.
Among Pakistanis, a mood of resignation has set in. "We spent months [away from home] last year because of floods, and it seems we have to do it again. What can we do? It is the will of Allah," said Ashraf Jatoi, 45.
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