Support Humanitarian Efforts to Aid Pakistan Following Deadly Flooding
This time of year is considered monsoon season in Southeast Asia. While heavy rainfall is not uncommon, over the past three months, the combination of the season and climate change has produced heart-wrenching and deadly results in Pakistan.
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Catastrophic flash floods in Pakistan have displaced more than 33 million people and killed 1,500. Learn how you can help with the relief effort!
Recent news reports about the record rainfall causing torrential flooding in Pakistan paint a grim and devastating picture, including nearly half the country being submerged under water. Flash floods and landslides threaten lives and livelihood, destroy crops, and sweep away homes, buildings, and infrastructure amid angry, rapid currents.
Pakistani officials noted a 400% increase in average rainfall for the areas in Sindh and Balochistan, which were hit most hard. Media stories indicate it could take years for the nation to fully recover from the damage the incessant rainfall has caused.
Sadly, media interviews with Pakistani officials suggest dismay about being forgotten, even as 33 million people among the nation’s 220 million—amounting to 15% of its population—remain adversely affected by the rushing water that has killed more than 1,500. Millions are in need of shelter and humanitarian support, including medical assistance to treat diseases that spread due to standing water or lack of proper drainage in rural areas. Mental health, along with emotional and spiritual support also are key, as many have seen their financial well-being washed away in the flood waters.
Responding to the Need
While there are many reputable charities to choose among for contributing a donation, the following were recommended by Einstein and Montefiore colleagues who have heard directly from family and friends in Pakistan about the helpful and effective work of the following organizations:
Akhuwat
Helping Hand
UNICEF
Doctors without Borders
Einstein and Montefiore Associates Traveling to Affected Areas
Because many displaced people in affected areas are in grave need of help with accessing water, sanitary goods, dry food, sleeping bags, and tents, Arooj Khan, a web developer at Einstein who is a native of Pakistan, plans to return to her homeland to volunteer with assistance efforts. Anyone wishing to contribute items needed by the flood victims, please reach out to Arooj by emailing arooj.khan@einsteinmed.edu.
"My hope is that we each can do whatever we can to help the many displaced people in need of assistance," said Arooj.
Montefiore associates who may be traveling to Pakistan possibly interested in assisting with transport of relief items, please contact Dr. Surksha Sirichand in the division of infectious diseases by emailing ssirichand@montefiore.org.
When Natural Disaster and Climate Change Collide
To learn more about the devastating floods in Pakistan, you can watch/read these reports:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZJCiKNPgug
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNUchTJcw9o
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3DnGQz7528
https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/24/asia/pakistan-floods-monsoon-rain-deaths-intl/index.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/28/world/asia/pakistan-flood.html
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-10986220
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-62728678
https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2022/8/25/photos-record-monsoon-rains-wreak-havoc-across-pakistan
Posted on: Tuesday, September 20, 2022