Oct 04, 2011

Sindh: Government Fails To Support ALL Of Its Citizens In Flood Stricken Sindh


PPP excludes opposition supporters from receiving relief in Sindh as millions are still in need of help.  

Below is an article published by The Nation

The ruling PPP in Sindh is selective in providing relief to the recent flood devastated people. Apparently it has been providing greater relief to the areas from where the party has won good number of seats, but ignoring those areas where other political parties have won more seats than the ruling party. This is the general impression that the people are drawing from the snail pace movement of relief work, in some areas like Sanghar and Mirpurkhas. 

Though a long period of one month has passed after monsoon rain unleashed its fury in lower parts of Sindh, inundating cities and rural areas but there is no sight of relief for those who suffered immeasurable losses to business crops and houses.

Three to four feet water still standing in Sanghar, Mirpurkhas and Badin but little has been done to drain out the water and give hope and relief to the marooned people who are living miserable life under open skies with no food security and medical aid.

Districts of Sanghar, Mirpurkhas and Badin have suffered immensely but unfortunately the government response to relief work in Sanghar and Mirpurkhas is negligible whereas Badin is getting maximum attention and aid only because the Speaker of the National Assembly Dr. Fehmida Mirza belonged to Badin.

Sanghar and Mirpurkhas are considered areas where the People's Party is not as strong as elsewhere in the province. That could be the reason by ignoring both Sanghar and Mirpurkhas from government-led relief work, despite sizeable representation of both districts at provincial and federal cabinet. 

The main road linking the town with Hyderabad remains inundated, compelling commuters to make a risky routes through a mud road. Sanghar-Nawabshah, Sanghar-Khairpur, Shahdadpur, Tando Adam, Khipro and Shahpur Chakar roads are in the decrepit condition.

Sanghar is considered as a cotton belt of Sindh which houses more than hundred cotton factories, which are lying closed, rendering thousands of workers jobless. Cases of water-borne disease like skin, respiratory and gastroenteritis are on the rise. Civil Hospital has been moved to a private building. It is providing only primary healthcare. Mobile units of maternity and childcare are visiting relief camps.

Similarly, situation is witnessed in rural areas of Mirpurkhas district where Jhuddo,, Digri, Tando Jam Muhammad, Naukot, Mirwah Gorchani, Tehsil Hussain Bux Marri, Kot Ghulam Muhammad and Sindhri, the hometown of former prime minister late Muhammad Khan Junejo are still under rainwater. Rainwater still standing in Mirpurkhas city and subway connecting satellite town and old city was still marooned forcing the people to take long journey to reach there. 

Tharparkar and Umerkot are other sufferers of rain flooded areas which also can drew little government attention.