Written by Danielle Salley, Four Green Steps

Hammering monsoon rains in the northwest of Pakistan commenced the worst floods in their country’s history, catalyzing the distress of over 17 million people. For nearly a month, people’s situations have been worsening, leaving them homeless and without food.  Worse yet, the floods are not over. According to Pakistan’s chief meteorologist, it will be another two weeks until the Indus River – where the heart of the flooding in still flowing through the country- returns to normal levels. The tides, however, are supposed to begin to change in the Arabian Sea on Aug.25, so as to allow the Indus River to drain into the sea.  Needless to say, the prolongation of such a catastrophe is terrible news for all, particularly in light of potential epidemic outbreaks.

Hundreds of health facilities have been damaged and tens of thousands of medical workers have been displaced in Pakistan.  Nearly a third of the country’s 100,000 female health workers have been displaced-- these women provide primary medical care to millions of Pakistani women.  Such an extensive blow to their medical system leaves the country particularly vulnerable to the spread of disease.  Aid agencies and the prime minister are increasingly concerned that contaminated water and a lack of proper sanitation are already causing visible issues in refugee camps. And yet it is only the beginning.

Unfortunately, most health problems, such as spread of disease, begin to arise in flood-affected areas after four to six weeks. This time slot begins now, as it has been nearly one month since the floods began.

At present, local charities, the Pakistani army and international agencies are providing food, water, medicine and shelter to those displaced into makeshift settlements, yet millions of people receive little or no help.  Also, thousands of people do not have identity cards to enable them to be enlisted for food distribution from aid workers. They are utterly helpless.

President Asif Ali Zardari has defended the government’s heavily criticized response to the floods, and has conceded that recovery will take a very long time- three years is a minimum.  The government plans to give 20,000 rupees ($230) to each family affected by the floods as “initial assistance.” It has been said that families will likely be displaced for up to three months, hopefully no longer.

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Image courtesy of Creative Commons.

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