A European Space Agency satellite image on August 30, 2022, shows the extent of flooding that has devastated Pakistan.

Why are the floods so bad?
UN Secretary General António Guterres has warned the world is “sleepwalking” into environmental destruction.
“South Asia is one of the world’s global climate crisis hotspots. People living in these hotspots are 15 times more likely to die from climate impacts,” Guterres said on August 30.“As we continue to see more and more extreme weather events around the world, it is outrageous that climate action is being put on the back burner as global emissions of greenhouse gases are still rising, putting all of us – everywhere – in growing danger,” he added.
Pakistan is also home to more glaciers than anywhere outside the polar regions. But as the climate warms, it’s becoming more vulnerable to sudden outbursts of melting glacier water.
What has been the damage so far?
How is it impacting people in Pakistan?
Pakistan is facing twin food and health crises brought by the unprecedented floods.
According to charity Action Against Hunger, 27 million people in the country did not have access to enough food prior the floods, and now the risk of widespread hunger is even more imminent. “Our priority right now is to help save and protect lives as waters continue to rise. The scale of these floods has caused a shocking level of destruction – crops have been swept away and livestock killed across huge swathes of the country, which means hunger will follow,” said Saleh Saeed, chief executive of the Disasters Emergency Committee, a United Kingdom-based aid coalition.
Prime Minister Sharif said on August 30 that people were facing food shortages and the price of basic items such as tomatoes and onions had “skyrocketed.”
“I have to feed my people. Their stomachs cannot go empty,” Sharif said.
The WHO has also classified Pakistan’s worst floods on record as an emergency of “the highest level,” warning of a rapid spread of disease due to the lack of access to medical assistance.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on August 31 warned of new outbreaks of diarrheal diseases, skin infections, respiratory tract infections, malaria and dengue in the aftermath of the floods, while a litany of waterborne diseases also posed health risks.
What is being done?
A Public Flood Reaction and Coordination Center has been set up as the nation staggers from the flooding, as indicated by Pakistan's Head of the state.
The Unified Countries has sent off a $160 million allure meaning to arrive at 5.2 million of the weakest individuals in the country, while the WHO likewise delivered $10 million to treat the harmed, convey supplies to wellbeing offices, and forestall the spread of irresistible illnesses.
Two Chinese military planes conveying tents and other flood help arrived in Karachi on August 30, as per the Representative General of China to Karachi. China has vowed $14.5 million in help to Pakistan, while the UK government likewise reported a commitment of 1.5 million pounds ($1.73 million) for aid ventures.
State leader Sharif told CNN on August 30 the nation was in converses with Moscow over bringing in wheat without breaking Western approvals forced over Russia's attack of Ukraine.
Sharif expressed that while Pakistan had gotten 1 million metric lots of wheat in the midst of the worldwide lack, the nation will presently require more because of the effect of the floods on the agribusiness area - which represents practically 40% of business, as per World Bank information.
0 Comments