Pakistan floods cause humanitarian crisis
- 13 years ago
Flood waters stream through a town in southern Pakistan.
This place - in the province of Sindh - is not alone.
A huge swath of the country is now under water, triggering a humanitarian crisis.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) UNITED NATIONS RESIDENT HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR, TIMO PAKKALA:
"This catastrophe at the moment -- considering the already poor health and nutrition situation -- it's really extremely serious for the people. And I want to emphasize the urgency of assistance to them."
The floods have so far killed 300 people and forced almost 6 million from their homes.
Many have fled to temporary shelters, like this school.
But the massive influx of people has overwhelmed the government, which has been criticized over its relief efforts.
The camps are crowded, food is scarce and many people don't know when - or if - they'll be able to go home.
(SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) FLOOD VICTIM, MOHAMMAD IMRAN, SAYING:
"We are thinking that until the water dries out in our village, even if we go home we won't be able to stay with our children. We do not have enough money to rebuild our homes, or start some sort of work. That is why we are staying here."
Pakistan has appealed to the international community for help, and the United Nations is seeking $337 million for emergency response measures.
Andrew Raven, Reuters
This place - in the province of Sindh - is not alone.
A huge swath of the country is now under water, triggering a humanitarian crisis.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) UNITED NATIONS RESIDENT HUMANITARIAN COORDINATOR, TIMO PAKKALA:
"This catastrophe at the moment -- considering the already poor health and nutrition situation -- it's really extremely serious for the people. And I want to emphasize the urgency of assistance to them."
The floods have so far killed 300 people and forced almost 6 million from their homes.
Many have fled to temporary shelters, like this school.
But the massive influx of people has overwhelmed the government, which has been criticized over its relief efforts.
The camps are crowded, food is scarce and many people don't know when - or if - they'll be able to go home.
(SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) FLOOD VICTIM, MOHAMMAD IMRAN, SAYING:
"We are thinking that until the water dries out in our village, even if we go home we won't be able to stay with our children. We do not have enough money to rebuild our homes, or start some sort of work. That is why we are staying here."
Pakistan has appealed to the international community for help, and the United Nations is seeking $337 million for emergency response measures.
Andrew Raven, Reuters