Aug
23
Responding to your concerns
I’m confused about the scale of the disaster in Pakistan. World leaders say it has been devastating, but the death toll is far lower than recent disasters, including the Haitian earthquake.
The United Nations and world leaders have made urgent calls for aid for Pakistan because they say the floods have had a more sweeping impact than the Haiti earthquake, Southeast Asian tsunami and 2005 Kashmir earthquake combined. While the early death toll estimate of about 1,600 is far lower than the estimated 230,000 people who died as a result of the Haiti earthquake, the number of people affected by the floods in Pakistan is almost incomprehensible.
A total of more than 20 million people have been displaced or affected, many losing nearly all of their property and currently seeking refuge in an area where crops have been wiped out and clean water and food is in short supply. Four million are estimated homeless.The result has alarmed officials who fear that hundreds of thousands could be susceptible to water-borne diseases and starvation. Millions are expected to face significant challenges, even after the floodwaters have subsided, because many will be unable to harvest crops for more than a year.
“We see 20 million members of the human family in desperate need of help. This is a defining moment — for Pakistan, and for all of us.” — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
I have heard a lot about terrorism in Pakistan. If I support relief work, will terrorists benefit from my humanitarian aid?
We recommend supporting established organizations that we know are providing on-the-ground assistance to people in need. Prominent organizations participating in flood relief efforts include American Red Cross, UNICEF, CARE and Islamic Relief Worldwide. Although much of the news we hear out of Pakistan has to do with terrorism, the nation’s more than 170 million people, along with its 20 million flood victims, should not be denied humanitarian assistance because of the actions of extremists. As Americans, we have been able to support those in need of help around the world and have created the goodwill that many nations, including Pakistan, reciprocated when our own citizens have faced disasters (Pakistan pledged $1 million toward Hurricane Katrina relief). We should not stop now, especially when our assistance could help support families who might otherwise struggle to survive after the floods.
I’m worried about my funds going to corrupt officials instead of the people who need help. What can I do?
By sending your support to organizations with an established track record, you can ensure that your contributions will make a difference. The world’s leading relief organizations have not wasted time in taking action in Pakistan because they acknowledge the potentially catastrophic affects that the floods could continue to have on the millions of victims. You shouldn’t wait either.
More on the scale of the disaster in Pakistan:
