Sep 10, 2010

Balochistan: 1.1m Waiting For Aid


 

Devastating floods have left over a million homeless and dependent upon aid. Waterborne diseases the new threat with some 80 fatalities already reported.

 

Below is an article published by The Nation:

 

The most devastating floods in Balochistan’s history have forced more than 1.1 million people to live in open sky in different parts of the province who are in a dire need of food, shelter, medicines and clean drinking water.


At least 80 people have so far died of gastroenteritis, cholera and other waterborne diseases in Dera Murad Jamali, Sibi, Quetta and Khuzdar where hundreds of others are experiencing the deadly effects.


Though the water level in Dera Allahyar town has receded from 10 to 12 feet to two to three feet, the dwellers are still unable to return to their homes.
“We are living on the roadside while waiting for government aid. We lost our home and other valuables when Dera Allahyar was inundated in floodwater,” Pir Bakhsh, an aged man told a group of journalists who visited the affected areas of Jaffarabad, adding that they were unable to save their cattle and other belongings.


“We fear thousands of flood-affected people would die of starvation if the international community fails to provide immediate relief to them,” PPP parliamentary leader Sadiq Ali Umrani said, adding that the Balochistan government did not have resources to tackle the crisis.


He also urged the foreign countries, the UN and other international donor agencies deliver the relief and financial assistance directly to the province.


“Any delay in providing food, drinking water and shelter to the affected people can cause another human tragedy,” he warned.


The official sources say the situation is worsening in the 11 affected districts of the province where 75,267 houses were damaged while the standing crops on 6,91,700 acres of land had also been destroyed.