2010 Pakistan floods

2010 Pakistan floods

Date	Current, started on 26 July 2010
Location	Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, Sindh Balochistan and Gilgit Baltistan
Deaths	2,000+
Property damage	5.1–7.1 billion USD (estimated)

The 2010 Pakistan floods began in July 2010 following heavy monsoon rains in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan regions of Pakistan. Present estimates indicate that over thousam five hundred people have died and over a million homes have been destroyed since the flooding began. The United Nations estimates that more than twenty million people are injured or homeless as a result of the flooding, exceeding the combined total of individuals affected by the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake and the 2010 Haiti earthquake. However, the death count in each of those three disasters was significantly higher than the number of people killed so far in the floods. At one point, approximately one-fifth of Pakistan's total land area was underwater due to the flooding.

UN Secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon has asked for an initial $460 million for emergency relief, noting that the flood was the worst disaster he had ever seen. 50% of the relief funds requested has been received as of 15 August 2010. The U.N. is concerned that aid is not arriving fast enough, while the World Health Organization reported that ten million people were forced to drink unsafe water. The Pakistani economy has been harmed by extensive damage to infrastructure and crops. Structural damages are estimated to exceed 4 billion USD, and wheat crop damages are estimated to be over 500 million USD. Officials estimate the total economic impact to be as much as 43 billion USD.

Causes

Current flooding is blamed on unprecedented monsoon rain. The rainfall anomaly map published by NASA shows unusually intense monsoon rains attributed to La Niña. On 21 June, the Pakistan Meteorological Department cautioned that urban- and flash flooding could occur from July to September in the north parts of the country. The same department recorded above-average rainfall in the months of July and Aug 2010, and monitored the flood wave progression . Interestingly, some of the discharge levels recorded are comparable to those seen during the floods of 1988, 1995, and 1997 .

An article in the New Scientist attributed the cause of the exceptional rainfall to "freezing" of the jet stream, a phenomenon that simultaneously also caused an unprecedented heat wave and wildfires in Russia as well as the 2007 United Kingdom floods in the past.

Flooding and Impact

Floods

Satellite images of the upper Indus River valley comparing water-levels on 1 August 2009 (top) and 31 July 2010 (bottom)

The floods were caused by monsoon rains, which were forecast to continue into early August and were described as the worst in this area in the last 80 years. The Pakistan Meteorological Department said that over 200 mm (7.88 inches) of rain fell over a 24-hour period over a number of places of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab and more was expected. A record breaking 274 mm (10.7 inches) rain fell in Peshawar during 24 hours, previously 187 mm (7.36 inches) of rain was recorded in April 2009. So far as many as 500,000 or more people have been displaced from their homes. On 30 July, Manuel Bessler, head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, stated that 36 districts were involved, and 950,000 people were affected, although within a day, reports increased the number to as high as a million, and by mid-August to nearly 20 million affected. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial information-minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain said "the infrastructure of this province was already destroyed by terrorism. Whatever was left was finished off by these floods." He also called the floods "the worst calamity in our history." Four million Pakistanis were left with food shortages.

Officials have warned that the death-toll could rise as many towns and villages are not accessible and communications have been disrupted. In some areas, the water-level was 5.5 m (18 ft) high and residents were seen on roof-tops waiting for aid to arrive. At least 1,588 people have been injured, 222,600 houses and 4,600 villages have been damaged or destroyed. The Karakoram Highway, which connects Pakistan with China, was closed after a bridge was destroyed. The ongoing devastating floods in Pakistan will have a severe impact on an already vulnerable population, says the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). In addition to all the other damages the floods have caused, floodwaters have destroyed much of the healthcare-infrastructure in the worst-affected areas, leaving inhabitants especially vulnerable to water-borne disease. In Sindh, the Indus River burst its banks near Sukkur on 8 August, submerging the village of Mor Khan Jatoi. There is also an absence of law and order, mainly in Sindh. Looters have been taking advantage of the floods by ransacking abandoned homes using boats.

affected areas as August 26 2010

In early August, the heaviest flooding moved southward along the Indus River from severely-affected northern regions toward western Punjab, where at least 1,400,000 acres (570,000 ha) of cropland was destroyed, and the southern province of Sindh. The crops affected were cotton, sugarcane, rice, pulses, tobacco and animal fodder. Floodwaters and rain destroyed 700,000 acres (3,000 km²) of cotton, 200,000 acres (800 km²) acres each of rice and cane, 500,000 tonnes of wheat and 300,000 acres (1,000 km²) of animal fodder. According to the Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association, the floods destroyed 2 million bales of cotton, which led to an increase in futures of the commodity in international market.. 170,000 citizens (or 70% of the populaton) of the historic Sindh town of Thatta fled advancing flood waters on August the 27th.

Pakistani authorities have predicted that fresh rainfall is expected to trigger further two waves of flooding, inundating more land and swallowing yet more villages. One of this new flood surge is currently sweeping down from mountainous areas in the north and expected to hit highly populated areas in the coming days, while the second wave is being formed in the mountains.

On August 29, 2010. In a camps of Pakistan Punjab province, people waiting for distribution of aid. Since the late July, Pakistan, since the flood has caused at least 16 people dead, about 2,000 people affected. China international rescuers arrived Pakistan on 27th for humanitarian aid.

Aftermath

The power infrastructure of Pakistan also took a severe blow from the floods, which damaged 10,000 transmission lines, transformers, feeders and power houses in different flood hit areas. Flood water inundated Jinnah Hydro power and 150 power houses in Gilgit. The damage caused a power shortfall of 3.135 gigawatts.

Aid agencies have warned that outbreaks of diseases, such as: gastroenteritis, diarrhea, and skin diseases due to lack of clean drinking water and sanitation can pose a serious new risk to victims of flood. On 14 August, the first documented case of cholera emerged in the town of Mingora, as fear ran through millions of stranded victims of flood, who are already suffering from gastroenteritis and diarrhea. It has been reported by the International Red Cross that a large number of unexploded ordinance such as mines and artillery shells have been flushed down stream by the floods from areas in Kashmir and Waziristan and scattered in low lying areas, posing a future risk to returning inhabitants. The United Nations estimated that 800,000 people have been cut off by floods in Pakistan and are only reachable by air. It also stated that at least 40 more helicopters to ferry lifesaving aid to increasingly desperate people. Many of those cut off are in the mountainous northwest, where roads and bridges have been swept away.

On the direction of President Asif Ali Zardari, there were no official celebrations of 63rd Independence Day on 14 August as the country faces calamity.

Potential long term effects

Food

Floods have submerged 17 million acres of Pakistan's most fertile crop land, have killed 200,000 livestock and have washed away massive amounts of grain. A major concern is that farmers will be unable to meet the fall deadline for planting new seeds in 2010, meaning a massive loss of food production in 2011, and potentially leading to long term food shortages. The agricultural damages are more than 2.9 billion dollars, according to recent estimates, and include over 700,000 acres of lost cotton crops, 200,000 acres of sugar cane and 200,000 acres of rice, in addition to the loss of over 500,000 tonnes of stocked wheat, 300,000 acres of animal fodder and the stored grain losses.

Agricultural crops like cotton, rice,sugarcane were badly affected in Punjab and to some extent mangoes as per the spokesman of Harvest Tradings-Pakistan. The international community should fully participate in the rehabilitation process as well as for the revival of agricultural crops in order to get better GDP growth in the future. The District Manager of Harvest Tradings Mr.Farooq Azam has visited the affected areas of South Punjab. According to him, some mango growers of Multan Division have raised their prices up to Rs 130/kg for profit taking in this disaster which is very surprising. He further said that Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited must write off all the agriculture loans of the affected areas in Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pukhtunkhwa especially for small farmers

Infrastructure

Floods have damaged an estimated 2,433 miles of highway and 3,508 miles of railway. Cost estimations for highway damages are at approximately 158 million USD and railway damages are at 131 million USD. Any unique or particularly large infrastructure damages will increase these estimates. Public building damages are estimated at 1 billion USD.

Taliban insurgency

The flood will divert Pakistani military forces from fighting the Pakistani Taliban insurgents (TTP) in the Northwest to help in the relief effort. It is feared that this will allow Taliban fighters to regroup. On the other hand, it has been suggested that by helping flood victims the US has an opportunity to improve its image.

The Pakistani Taliban have also engaged in relief efforts and make inroads where the government is absent or seen as corrupt. As the flood may have dislodged many property markers, it is feared that governmental delay and corruption will give an advantage to the Taliban to settle these disputes swiftly. A Taliban spokesperson asked the Pakistani government to reject Western help from "Christians and Jews" indicating that, instead, the Taliban can raise $20 million.

According to an US official the TTP had issued a threat saying that it will launch attacks against foreigners participating in flood relief operations. In response, the United Nations said it was reviewing security arrangements for its workers. The World Health Organization stated that work in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province was already suffering because of the security concerns there. However, an unverified Taliban spokesperson based in Orakzai told The Express Tribune: “We have not issued any such threat; and we don’t have any plans to attack relief workers." Nevertheless, the attacks on aid workers have already begun: three American Christians have been murdered by Islamists on August 25 in the Swat Valley.

Relief efforts

A bridge damaged by the flooding

Pakistan has appealed to international donors for help in responding to the disaster. Twenty-one helicopters and 150 boats were pressed into service to assist the affected people according to the National Disaster Management Authority of Pakistan. The US embassy in Pakistan provided seven helicopters to the authorities to assist in relief-operations. The United Nations also launched relief efforts. It appealed for $460 million to provide immediate help, including food, shelter and clean water. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited Pakistan on 15 August to oversee and discuss the relief efforts. A Pakistani army spokesman said that troops had been deployed in all affected areas and had rescued thousands of people. Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani visited the province and directed the Pakistan Navy to help evacuate the flood-victims. By early August, more than 352,291 people have been rescued.

According to the Reliefweb Financial Tracking service, total donations worldwide for humanitarian assistance so far come to $687 million, with a further $324 million promised in uncommitted pledges, as of August 27th 2010.

By the end of August the Secretary-General Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) stated that Muslim countries, organizations and individuals had pledged close to $1 billion to assist in Pakistan’s flood emergency. This statement is contradicted by findings from the U.N. Financial Tracking Service that indicate that only 3 of 56 OIC’s member states - Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Kuwait - had pledged more than single digit millions. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani stated that by the end of August Saudi Arabia's support exceeded that of the US, yet both, UN data and data from Pakistan's Disaster Management Authority fail to support this claim.

Response by national governments

• Afghanistan finance minister Omar Zakhilwal handed a cheque worth $1 million to Pakistani ambassador Mohammad Sadiq at the end of a press conference in Afghan capital Kabul.

• Australia announced a A$35 million aid-package, as well as committing two C17 Globemaster aircraft to deliver emergency supplies and to assist relief efforts and deploying a medical task force consisting of up to 180 personnel and more than 33 tonnes of equipment.

• Austria donated 5.6 million euros to Pakistan.

• Azerbaijan gave US$2 million financial assistance to help the victims and eliminate the aftermath of the disaster. Azerbaijan send an additional $1 million in aid to Pakistan to help the government eliminate consequences of recent heavy floods, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said. The Azerbaijani embassy in Pakistan said the Azerbaijani president, Ilham Aliyev ordered to send two Il-76 planes with a humanitarian assistance on board to Pakistan. One of the planes delivered 40 tonnes of humanitarian cargo to Pakistan. Also the staff of Azerbaijan embassy in Pakistan also transferred its two-days’ salary worth around $2,000 to relief fund.

• Bahrain donated $2.6 million to Pakistan.

• Bangladesh has pledged $2 million for relief and will also dispatch a medical team along with material assistance including tents, blankets, water purification tablets, mineral waters, life saving drugs and vaccines, oral saline, hygiene kit, biscuits and packed dry food.

• Belarus donated blankets, tents, canned meat, water, and medicines, all worth around $200,000.

• Belgium donated 150,000 Euro for the victims.

• Brazil donated US$ 0.7 million through World Food Programme or life-saving assistance to the affected.

• Canada announced that it would donate $2 million worth of emergency aid. $750,000 are expected to be donated to the ICRC for distribution of shelter-materials and water, sanitation and health-services, while the remainder goes to the WFP to provide much-needed food-assistance. On 14 August the Canadian government announced an additional $32 million Dollar in aid. The Canadian government announced on August 22 that it will match, dollar-for-dollar, citizen donations made to registered charities between August 2 and September 12.

• China has so far provided 120 million yuan (17.5 million USD) worth of humanitarian supplies to Pakistan in three batches. "As Pakistan's neighbor and all-weather friend, China empathizes with Pakistan on the heavy casualties and property loss caused by the natural disasters," said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu. It initially announced that it would provide emergency aid worth 10 million yuan (approx. US$ 1.48 million) to help the flood-victims. The People's Liberation Army donated another 10 million yuan to Pakistan. The Chinese Red Cross has also given US $50,000 in cash to Pakistan. The Chinese ambassador to Pakistan traveled to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and expressed his condolences to those affected by the tragedy. On 13 August, China announced another emergency humanitarian aid worth 50 million yuan (US$7.35 million) bringing the total official Chinese relief aid then to more than 70 million yuan(approx. US$ 10.3 million) to the flood-affected Pakistani people. A Chinese search and rescue team arrived in the southern Pakistani city of Thatta, Sindh Province, where heavy floods swept away hundreds of villages. The Chinese rescue team, consisting of more than 60 members, set up tents and field hospitals to provide medical services to flood victims. The Red Cross Society of China and some of China's local governments, including Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region and Sichuan Province, had also offered cash and material assistance to Pakistan.

• The Czech military have sent 24 flights with humanitarian aid.

• Denmark has donated 63 million DKK (11M USD) in relief efforts and another 130 million DKK (22M USD) in further development aid.

• Egypt donated medicine, medical supplies and foodstuffs.

• Estonia donated 64,000 euros.

• The European Union released €10 million to help Pakistan's flood victims on 11 August, as part of emergency aid to flood-stricken country. By 18 August, the EU had committed to spending €70 million (90 million dollars) on aid for victims of the floods.

• Finland government donated €1.2 million for humanitarian assistance to the flood victims. €600,000 were channeled through the World Health Organization, €400,000 through the UNHCR and €200,000 through Finn Church Aid.

• France donated 1.05 million euros and 35 tonnes of emergency supplies, tarpaulins, tanks, blankets, jerry cans, kitchen sets, water purification tablets, 200 shelters and anti-cholera medicines.

• Germany initially committed €1 million for the victims, which was further increased to €2 million on 6 August. On 12 August, Germany announced a $13 million aid package. On 13 August Germany increased its aid commitment by €10 million to now €25 million in direct help plus €43 million via contributions through international organizations with which it is associated. In addition there have been private donations to charities in the scale of €24 million up to 18 August.

• Greece donated €100,000.

• Hong Kong has donated HK$ 3 million to World Vision for a relief project for flood victims in Pakistan.

• Iceland contributed ISK 23 million (US $190,000) to emergency aid in areas impacted by the monsoon floods in Pakistan.

• Indonesia The Government of Indonesia dispatched a cargo flight carrying humanitarian assistance of US$1milliion for the flood victims. The relief assistance which arrived at the Chaklala Air base by a charted cargo flight consisted of 15 tons of emergency supplies included 4.5 tons of ready to eat meals’ packets, 3 tons of medicines, 5 tons of powdered milk for children, 4000 blankets and 4000 Sarongs.On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia the donation of the relief goods was handed over by the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia H.E. Mr. Ishak Latuconsina to the State Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mr. Sumsam Ali Shah Bukhari at the Chaklala Air base on August 07, 2010.

• An initial €200,000 was donated by the government of Ireland. An additional €550,000 was added on 9 August 2010. Then the total was €960,000. The Irish media were critical of the country's government for providing less than half the aid it donated to Haiti after the earthquake there. €1.19 million was added on 19 August, bringing the total at that stage to €2 million, the total given to the Haiti disaster. Minister for Overseas Development Peter Power, TD, said at the time that more aid would be forthcoming from Ireland and that the country had provided a "proportionally greater" amount than "most other European countries". The Irish public had provided an additional sum of more than €2.5 million by 20 August.

• India offered US$25 million for provision of relief material for the victims of the massive floods. Further aid as required can be arranged, with a National Disaster Management Force in place, India finds it easier to respond for channelizing aid. Also, there are nearly 400 Indian doctors, who are waiting for the Pakistan government's nod for visas to help flood victims. India has supplied first consignment of 25 truck-loads of Indian potato to Pakistan.

• Iran had committed over 400 tonnes of relief goods; out of which 330 tonnes had already been delivered by the Iranian transport aircrafts as of 24th August 2010. These goods included tents, floorings, clothes, canned food, bread and medical supplies. Iranian red crescent society has also been on the ground along with Pakistan Red Crescent Society as a part of its ongoing relief operation inside Pakistan to more than 100,000 flood vicitms. In addition to the Iranian government help Ayatollah Lotfollah Safi Golpaygani has announced that one third of collected Khums will be donated to Pakistan for humanitarian assistance. Iran's chamber of commerce also donated US $1 million to the flood affectees. Iran has also offered to setup field hospitals and community centers for flood victims in Pakistan. In response to UN's appeal for help at New York, Iran committed US $10 million towards the flood relief. In addition to this fund, Imam Khomeini Relief Committee was directed to collect private donations from Iranians and donate it to Pakistani government. Iranian interior minister also visited Pakistan as the head of a humanitarian mission assessing the needs of Pakistani people in order to facilitate the distribution of Iranian aid to Pakistan. During the visit the Pakistani interior minister was invited to Tehran for discussing the flood situation among other matters, and the Pakistani minister visited Iran on 22 August 2010. Iranian interior minister during a meeting with Pakistani interior minister informed the latter that Iran is the third largest donor nation in terms of delivered aid. Iran has also assured Pakistan of its continued support and aid into future. In order to better supply relief to flood victims, Iranian president Dr. Ahmadinejad would visit the flood hit areas of Pakistan.

• Israel has offered aid to Pakistan, but the officials said they have not received an answer from Pakistan on whether or not the aid should be forwarded.

• Italy provided € 1.33 million, including a humanitarian aid flight carrying emergency supplies such as medicines, generators, water purifiers and containers.

• Japan provided US$ 0.23 million for emergency relief goods, while additional assistance of up to US$3 million has been committed for the disaster aftermath.In a press release, Japan announced to extend the aid to 14.4 million USD (approx. 1.22 billion JPY) in total, in the form of the provision of emergency relief goods, as well as food, water, sanitation etc. Japan is also expected to send a unit of six helicopters and some 300 SDF Troops

• Jordan A plane carrying food and medical supplies left for Pakistan on 15 August. It is carrying a 25-member medical team, including nine doctors, as well as 21,000 typhoid and cholera vaccines.

• Kosovo donated €150,000 to the Government of Pakistan's flood relief efforts.

• Kuwait donated US $5 million to victims of the severe floods in Pakistan, according to Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS).

• Lebanon sent a plane to Pakistan with humanitarian aid.

• Malaysia has donated $1 million to help people in flood-hit Pakistan.

• Maldives donated MVR 3 million to Pakistan.

• Morocco sent a plane carrying 12 tonnes of humanitarian aid.

• Nepal cabinet provided cash assistance of Rs 10 million for flood victims in Pakistan.

• Netherlands donated €3.6 million euros. Netherlands The population of the Netherlands has collected more more than 17 million euros for relief aid in Pakistan.

• New Zealand donated NZ$4 million towards relief efforts in Pakistan.

• Nigeria also assisted Pakistan by donating US$ 1 million.

• Norway facilitated relief operation by providing NOK 30 million. NOK 9 million were given to UN Central Emergency Response Fund, and NOK 21 million were allocated to UNICEF, Pakistan Emergency Response Fund (ERF), and Pakistan Red Crescent Society

• The Oman Charitable Organisation (OCO) send 2,336MT of aid to Pakistan, comprising foodstuffs, water, Dates, tents, relief supplies and tools.

• Palestine donated 3000 tons humanitarian supplies to Pakistan.
• Qatar Red Crescent has appealed for QR 6.5 million and as part of its Ramadan campaign allocated QR1.5 million to its humanitarian mission. QATAR Charity (QC) has started delivering food packs worth QR7 million ($2 million) in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP). It also plans to airlift 80 tonnes of emergency relief items, totalling around QR 2.2 million ($600,000).

• Russia have sent two Russian Il-76 cargo planes with emergency relief.

• Samoa donated US$20,000.

• Saudi Arabia released a statement announcing the establishment of an air-bridge to ferry relief-supplies to Pakistan. In total Saudi Arabia has allocated US $112.3 million. for the relief-operation. So far relief goods worth USD 40 million has been delivered and some USD 67 million worth of relief goods are in pipeline besides USD 5.3 million has been handed over to National Disaster Management Authority – NDMA Pakistan in cash. Two 100-bed mobile hospitals were also donated by the Saudi Government to the flood victims.

• Singapore donated 50 thousand US dollars, 800 water filters and 10,000 blankets.

• Slovakia donated power generators, water pumps and tents.

• Sri Lanka dispatched 18 metric tons of relief goods worth approx US$ 3 million to Pakistan on a Sri Lankan Air Force C-130. The Health Ministry will also send will be in the 15 member special medical team to Pakistan.

• Spain have sent out two aircraft containing 15 tonnes of aid material for the victims.

• Sweden will send eight water cleaning aggregates which together have a capacity to support 18,000 people with clean drinking water.

• Switzerland donated CHF 3 million to Pakistan.

• Sudan donated 10 tonnes of food, medicine and shelter equipments as well as a medical team including all disciplines.

• Syria announced that it would send 35 tonnes of foodstuffs, medical supplies, medicines and many other necessary materials to help flood victims.

• Thailand donated $75,000.

• Tunisia sent a plane with 13 tons of food products, medicine, blankets and clothes.

• Turkey has donated US$ 5 million to Pakistan initially, in addition to 115 tonnes of humanitarian aid consisting of food packages, blankets, sleeping bags and beds delivered to Pakistan Red Crescent Society. By 18 August, Turkey has donated more than US$11 million and issued a rallying cry and launched a large-scale relief effort for flood-ravaged Pakistan.

• Turkmenistan sent about 40 tons of cargo, including food and medicines.

• United Arab Emirates A fleet of Chinook helicopters was deployed to help in evacuation, according to the commander of the UAE Armed Forces Relief Team in Pakistan. The UAE Force in Afghanistan distributed 30MT of relief materials and food to flooded areas of the country. The UAE also pledged to donate $ 5 million for the flood relief operations in Pakistan. A telethon campaign by the Red Crescent Authority (RCA) raised 79 million AED ($21 million) for the flood victims. The Red Crescent also dispatched 70 tons of essential relief supplies.

• The government of the United Kingdom has committed £64.3 million (US $100 million) to the relief and recovery effort, in addition to bringing forward a £10 million bridge project to replace some of those washed away. Interventions carried out or under way include the flying in of 400 metric tons of aid, and providing tents, shelter kits, blankets, water containers and nutritional interventions. Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has also acknowledged the slow international response and urged British public to donate generously. British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II has made a personal donation to the relief effort for flood victims in Pakistan, the Queen gave an undisclosed amount via the British Red Cross. Additionally Nick Clegg, the Deputy Prime Minister, described the international response as "absolutely pitiful" on August 16th.

• The United States has been at the forefront of the relief effort. The United States stated that it would provide 56,000 ready meals on 1 August and 2, twelve temporary bridges and two water-filtration-plants to help the flood-victims as part of a US$10 million aid-pledge. Commenting on the floods, the United States Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, stated, "The Pakistani people are friends and partners, and the United States is standing with them as the tragic human toll mounts from flooding in northwest Pakistan." Hillary Clinton personally donated $10 for flood-relief in an effort to encourage people to donate, no matter how small the amount. On 10 August, US announced another $20 million to provide relief for the affected, taking the flood related aid from United States to US$ 55 million. On 11 August, US increased its assistance for flood-ravaged Pakistan to $ 71 million. Additionally, United States initially provided six US Army CH-47 Chinook helicopters from their duty in Afghanistan. On 12 August, it provided two more CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters to assist Pakistan Army in their relief efforts. The two helicopters are first of 19 helicopters that US Defense Secretary Robert Gates has urgently ordered for Pakistan in next few days. Senator John Kerry also visited Pakistan in order to survey the damage from the disaster, and to raise US public awareness about Pakistani relief needs. On 13 August, US increased its aid to US $84 million as USS Peleliu gets ready to dispatch more helicopters pledged earlier by US Defense Secretary. In addition to this, the United States is providing $3 million to the World Health Organization to expand the capacity of Pakistan's Disease Early Warning System (DEWS) and to establish the first 15 treatment centers for water-borne illness. It is also working with the humanitarian community to spread awareness through radio stations regarding safety precautions against water-borne diseases. On 14 August, further two CH-53E Super Stallion and a MH-53E Sea Dragon arrived in Pakistan to work with Pakistan military in flood-affected areas. On Thursday, 20 August, the United States pledged an additional $60 million to the U.N. flood relief effort in Pakistan, bringing its total contribution to $150 million in a move designed to encourage other governments and private donors to boost their aid. On Friday, 27 August, the USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) and her Amphibious Ready Group will deploy to Pakistan to assist.

• Uzbekistan has sent 300,000 dollars worth of humanitarian aid to Pakistan.

• Vietnam donated 50,000 dollars.

• Yemen have donated relief materials including medicine and edible oil.

• World Bank provided US$ 1.3 million to Pakistani government for relief work. The bank has additionally approved a loan of US$ 900 million for medium and long term reconstruction.

• International Monetary Fund (IMF) has also offered to discuss how to help Pakistan manage the economic impact of the floods.

• Asian Development Bank in response to the floods has offered a loan of 2 billion dollars for the reconstruction efforts.

• Islamic Development Bank in response to the floods has offered a loan of 11 million dollars for the reconstruction efforts.

Response by non-governmental organizations

• The Disasters Emergency Committee, an umbrella group of 13 UK charities, reported that as of 27 August its flood relief appeal had raised £40 million (US $62 million), and that DEC member agencies and their partners had reached over 800,000 people. For the first time in the DEC's 45 year history, they saw donations rise rather than fall in the second week of an appeal, and they then saw them rise again in the 3rd week .

DEC member charities

• Oxfam is currently providing clean water and hot meals to over 180,000 people. In total, Oxfam aims to reach around 900,000 people with clean water, sanitation kits and hygiene supplies.

• Save the Children is using helicopters, donkeys and boats to deliver doctors and medical supplies to families cut off by the water. It has sent a medical team and medicines on donkeys in Allai, treated more than one thousand patients, and plans to distribute 800 shelter kits, including tarpaulins, jerry cans and plastic glasses, to flood-affected families.

• The Red Cross has dispatched food and shelter items for distribution by Pakistan Red Crescent volunteers to tens of thousands of people. Additionally, it has provided medicines and medical supplies to hospitals and health centers enabling Pakistan Red Crescent health-care units to treat thousands of people.,

• CARE International has provided water purification tablets, tents, family hygiene kits, kitchen sets, tarpaulins and mosquito nets to thousands of survivors. Mobile and basic healthcare units have provided health services to around 4,500 people.

• Islamic Relief is distributing 3,570 family hygiene kits in Nowshera and Mardan districts benefitting 24,990 people. Also it is distributing 2,850 household kits (containing mattresses, mosquito nets etc.) and 2,850 kitchen sets to benefit 19,950 people. Pakistani cricket star Shahid Afridi is working with the NGO in raising the aid for the disaster.

• Concern has helped 18,000 people and 6,400 people in Charsadda district have received emergency packages. Concern had raised more than €1 million in public donations from the Irish public by 13 August 2010.

• World Vision is currently providing clean water and food in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa province and is treating people at five health clinics. The agency plans to reach 150,000 people during the first 90 days with relief items including water purification packets, hygiene kits, tents, cooking items and food. It also aims to provide cash-for-work activities to 1,000 people, open additional health posts, set up 20 child-friendly spaces and 20 women-friendly spaces to provide a safe and comfortable environment for children and women to interact with peers and receive support. World Vision plans to expand these efforts as floodwaters recede and more communities become accessible.

Other charities

• Humanity First, in collaboration with NCHD has dispatched over 500 tents as well as mattresses, blankets, floor mats, buckets and shoes. 600 water survival boxes have been provided in collaboration with the British Rotary charity WorldWaterWorks Limited. The local team is also preparing packs of non-perishable food to last a month for 1,000 families. The initial response package is for around 10,000 people, but response is expected to rise. Moreover, 3 medical camps have been set up which see 200 patients a day.

• Techure Foundation Techure Foundation Limited is non-profit organization registered in England and Wales working for providing Education to Children, Healthcare Facilities to the masses that are in need, Responding to Emergency Situation caused by Earthquakes, Floods and other natural disasters - Techure Foundation Limited is based in London, UK with its volunteers workings in many different countries. After Floods in Pakistan started to develop itself into a Crisis, Techure Foundation raised an Emergency appeal for the flood victims in Pakistan in order to provide them with survival aid immediately and that assist the rehabilitation and rebuilding process in the long-term in flood-stricken areas. They have initiated two specific platforms to raise awareness for the issues supporting these efforts through Twitter further.

• Floods in Pakistan Update page - This website is updated regularly providing and gathering the latest news about the floods, pictures and twitter updates.

• Facebook Platform - They have created a facebook page - www.facebook.com/PKFloods - This group consists of a very diverse community with top number of users from Paksitan and Britain. Most of the people are posting their views.They have deployed many volunteers in Pakistan through their partner organizations in onground activities who are engaged in various relief services.

• MERCY Malaysia has setup two clinics in the districts of Nowshera and Charsadda, each with a local doctor and three medical staff. It also sent a team on 12 August to support the clinics. The NGO donated five units of ultra-filtration water systems worth US$15,000 and donated US$40,000 worth of tents, food and drinking water.

• ICNA Relief Canada is actively providing emergency relief across the country. ICNA Relief is running medical relief camps in 13 locations, distributing free medication and providing ambulance services. ICNA Relief is also providing food packages (Flour, Sugar, Cooking Oil, Rice, Lentils, Biscuits and other basics) and shelters to the flood victims. Tent distribution is being made to help those whose houses have been washed away by the floods. ICNA Relief Canada has appealed to its donors for $5 million raise."ICNA Relief Canada". {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)

• Muslim Charity has launched £750,000 appeal to help the victims of flood in Pakistan. Muslim Charity targets to benefit 45,000 people through its activities. Muslim Charity is providing food to 25,000 people for the month of Ramadan, clean drinking water to 10,000 people, medical facilities to 10,000 people through its 5 medical camps and shelter to 5,000 people. In its second phase of relief work; Muslim Charity targets to reconstruct 200 house in Pakistan.

• Trócaire had raised around €700,000 in donations from the Irish public by 13 August 2010. The organisation later said there were difficulties accessing food.

• UNICEF has set up 24 medical camps in the affected areas, benefiting around one million people.

• Giving Children Hope donated medical supplies and other aid to several medical centers in Peshawar.

• Médecins Sans Frontières was in a position to respond immediately due to its long term presence in the country. MSF has deployed 100 international and 1200 Pakistani staff to provide medical care, particularly disease prevention, and resettlement services.

Other organisations

• UN-SPIDER Pakistan’s Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) received assistance through the SpaceAid Framework of the United Nations Platform for Space-based Information for Disaster Management and Emergency Response (UN-SPIDER) during the first phase of the disaster. Through SpaceAid, SUPARCO was able to access post and pre-disaster satellite data. This information was used by Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and relief organizations to assist response efforts and assess damages. Humanitarian NGOs such as iMMAP and the Pakistan Youth Organization have been using this information for their operations as well.

• The United Methodist Church's representatives are on the ground with a project that within the week will purify more than 3.5 million liters of drinking water and benefit more than 73,000 people a day. The Methodist are also helping to bring food relief and emergency shelter to tens of thousands of Pakistanis affected by the flooding.

• The Pakistan Cricket Board and English Cricket Board Cricket Boards are working together to organize a fundraiser exhibition match for the benefit of flood victims.

• The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) had raised at least AUD$2.8 million for UNICEF's flood relief efforts through its nation-wide radio appeal from Friday 27th August until 3pm on Sunday 29th August 20100.

Response by individuals

• The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation donated $700,000 for flood relief, making them the single largest individual donation.
• Angelina Jolie donated $100,000 to the United Nations for flood relief operations in Pakistan.

Response by Islamic militant organizations

• Jama'at-ud-Da'wah (JuD), an organization which is a front for banned militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, stated that it had 2000 workers providing flood-relief. JuD was banned by the United Nations in 2008 after the 2008 Mumbai attacks but was openly distributing aid under the Falah-e-Insaniyat arm of the organization.

• Al Rasheed trust an organization under UN sanctions for its links to Al-qaeda was among the first to provide aid to the flood victims.

• Haqqania madrasa an Islamic school with ties to Haqqani network have converted one of their buildings into a shelter and were caring for 2500 victims.

• The Taliban offered to raise $20 million for flood relief if the Pakistani government rejected aid from 'Christians and Jews.'

Response by corporations

• Deloitte : Deloitte, a business advisory firm, donated £1 million (US $1.5 million) to the DEC appeal.
• Google Foundation : Google Foundation donated $250,000 for the flood relief efforts. A corporate broadcast was sent to all employees to raise awareness about the disaster.
• Cisco Systems : Cisco Systems will match employee donations for flood relief up to $500,000. A corporate broadcast was sent to all employees to raise awareness about the disaster.
• BMO Financial Group : BMO Financial Group, Canada’s oldest bank, has donated $100,000 in support of Red Cross relief and recovery efforts. In addition, the company is accepting donations through its BMO Bank of Montreal branches in Canada and its Harris branches in the United States. The company is also waiving fees for fund transfers and drafts to Pakistan through 17 September 2010.
• Riverbed Technology : Riverbed Technology will match employee donations to Mercy Corps up to $10,000. A corporate broadcast was sent to all employees to raise awareness about the disaster.
• Dell : Dell has announced a $150,000 donation to the flood victims and has declared to match any amount donated by Dell employees.
• Intel : Intel donated $100,000 to American Red Cross for flood relief. In addition, Intel will match employee donations up to $2k per employee. A corporate broadcast was sent to all employees to raise awareness about the disaster.
• Alcatel-Lucent : Alcatel Lucent launched a "Matching Gift Program" through the Alcatel Lucent Foundation. ALU will match one donation per employee, dollar-for-dollar, in response to this crisis. A Corporate broadcast was made on August 19th. Apart from this, employees of Alcatel Lucent Local setup have donated their 1 day salary and have raised funds each day (Starting August) to provide Army Aviation with Ready Meals to be air dropped to the people who have been marooned by the floods.
• JPMorgan : Donated $100,000.
• SAP : SAP has contributed significant amount to relief partners. SAP Solidarity Fund in Germany has already donated funds to help with immediate relief efforts. The SAP matching gift program will match employee donations up to 10k per employee. Information about SAP relief effort is posted on Corporate Portal to raise awareness about the disaster.
• Bank of America Corporation : Donated $40 to Save the Children.
• Zebra Technology : Will donate an amount equal to 200% of employee donations to any charity of their choice. The donation by Zebra will be made to American Red Cross.

Criticism of response

The Pakistani government was blamed for sluggish and disorganized response to the floods. The perceived disorganized and insufficient response led to instances of riots, with attacks and looting of aid convoys by hunger-stricken people. The lack of a unified government response allowed Islamic groups such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jamaat-e-Islami to supply aid with minimal resistance. President Asif Ali Zardari was also criticized for going ahead with visits to meet leaders in Britain and France at a time when his nation was facing catastrophe. In Sindh, the ruling Pakistan People's Party ministers were accused of using their influence to direct flood waters off their crops while risking densely populated areas.

International community, United Nations and White House are closely monitoring the deployment of the relief funds by the government of Pakistan. It is feared that the fund for relief will be diverted by the Pakistani government towards their military budget as done in the past.

The United Nations criticized the international community for responding slowly, despite the ferocity and magnitude of disaster. As of 9 August, only $45 million in aid had been committed, which is far less than usual for a natural disaster of this scale. In an analysis of the response to the disaster, The Guardian said that there was a dire need of relief goods in the immediate aftermath of the floods. It quoted the UN's humanitarian affairs co-ordination office, saying that "[s]ix million [of the 14 million affected] are children and 3 million women of child-bearing age. This is a higher figure than in the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami."

India, a neighbor of Pakistan, was being criticized for being completely silent about the calamity for 2 weeks. It was described by The Diplomat as "India seems to be aloof and blind to the tragedy affecting Pakistan" with the Indian media "barely giving the disaster" any coverage, while "the international community and aid agencies pump aid to those affected". NDTV claimed that the limited flood coverage was because Pakistan has not approved visas to Indian media people for visiting Pakistan to cover the floods. On 13 August, India offered condolences and $5 million, and Pakistan accepted the offer on 20 August Also, there are nearly 400 Indian doctors, who are waiting for the Pakistan government's nod for visas to help flood victims. India has supplied first consignment of 25 truck-loads of Indian potato to Pakistan.

An analysis by AP's correspondent, Nahal Toosi, suggested that a number of factors account for the inadequate international response, namely the low death toll, the protracted unfolding of the extent of the catastrophe, the lack of celebrity involvement, the impression that the government is not focused on the event, and a certain donor fatigue, perhaps more so as Pakistan has been receiving support before.

British Prime Minister David Cameron was accused by Pakistan of hampering international aid efforts after he claimed that Pakistan was responsible for promoting terrorism.

Some potential donors doubt that funds will reach victims of the flood, but will rather be diverted to terrorist groups such as the Taliban, despite a significant amount of the aid effort being directed by the United Nations.

Neglect of minorities

It has been reported that members of Pakistan's Ahmadiyya Muslim community, who were caught up in floods in Muzaffargarh, were not rescued from their homes because rescuers felt that Muslims must be given priority. Ahmadi Muslims complained to the government that not only were they not rescued but in some instances ejected from relief camps when their identity was disclosed. Ahmadis were declared a non-Muslim minority by the Pakistani government which prevented them to 'pose as Muslims' and have faced continued persecution. Human Rights Commision of Pakistan condemned the denial of relief to Ahmadis. It also stated “The commission has noted with concern reports of lack of provision of relief goods to flood-affected Ahmadi families, expulsion of displaced Ahmadis from a government school in Dera Ghazi Khan and rented lodgings elsewhere in southern Punjab after clerics’ pressure as well as issuance of edicts by clerics that affected Ahmadis must not be provided help."

Members of the Sikh community, who arrived in gurdwaras in Lahore, also complained of government apathy. They said members of their community were abandoned in Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa and had to arrange rescue for themselves. In Peshawar the Sikh leaders accused the Government of Pakistan of not helping them after the floods swept away their homes and businesses and threatened to protest lack of assistance by the Government.

Protests broke out in Lyari relief camp after Hindu victims of Baagri and Waghari nomadic tribes were served beef by the authorities in violation of their religious beliefs which forbids consumption of beef. The situation was resolved after officials from minority affairs ministry intervened.

Allegations of Indian conspiracy

On the 28th August, the Nawa-i-Waqt Urdu daily alleged India had caused the devastating floods in Pakistan by releasing excess water into the Satluj and Beas rivers and was now trying to inundate Lahore by pumping more water in the Ravi river, despite the fact that since the floods caused were actually from excess rain.

Major international media outlets including the White House dismisses the claims as "nonsense".

See also

• List of deadliest floods
• 2010 China floods
• 2010 Leh floods
• 2010 Northern Hemisphere summer heat wave
• List of extreme weather records in Pakistan
• 2010 Salang avalanches
• Attabad Lake
• Cyclone Phet
• Indian Ocean Dipole
• 2005 Kashmir earthquake
• Thatta

External links

• The Pacific Disaster Center (PDC) has established a geospatial map service relating to the Pakistan flood event
• Floods in Pakistan , International Committee of the Red Cross
• Updated list of relief organizations and donation resources
• Latest Updates on Floods in Pakistan
• "Flood of Misery": Coverage at http://english.aljazeera.net
• Humanitarian information coverage on ReliefWeb
• Video:Pakistan in mass flood rescue
• In Pictures: Floods in Pakistan
• "The real war on 'terror' must begin"
• Pakistan flood pictures Part I and Pakistan flood pictures Part II
• Coverage by Radio France Internationale in English
• Flooding in Pakistan – Earth Observatory (NASA, 10 August 2010)
• Flooding in Pakistan – Earth Observatory (NASA, 17 August 2010)
• Pakistan Flood Pictures Realize the Conditions
• Pakistan Floods 2010 Relief Wiki Collecting and disseminating flood-related info
• Pakistan Flood Relief Flood Relief information
• UN Humanitarian Chief John Holmes: The Magnitude of the Pakistan Floods Is Unprecedented – video report by Democracy Now!
• Mapping Pakistan floods Overview of up-to-date map sources: probable flood-affected villages, towns and infrastructure.