Dear Editor, The people of Pakistan are facing a public health catastrophe on a major scale after the worst floods in living memory.
An area the size of England has been left under water with 20 million people, including many children, affected. This is more than the combined total of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, 2005 Kashmir earthquake and 2010 Haiti earthquake.
The homes and livelihoods of some of the world’s poorest people have been washed away and now deadly waterborne diseases, such as cholera, will only add to the suffering.
No wonder then that United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, after flying in to visit ravaged areas at the weekend, said: “I will never forget the destruction and suffering I have witnessed today. In the past I have witnessed many natural disasters around the world, but nothing like this. I’m here to send a message to the world: these unprecedented floods require an unprecedented response. The world must stand with the people of Pakistan.”
Aid is getting through but there is still a massive amount of work to be done and the logistical challenges are huge.
As part of the Disasters Emergency Committee, Oxfam is planning to reach more than 900,000 people with clean water, sanitation kits and hygiene supplies and other essential aid.
The British Government has pledged £31m, while the public in the Midlands has already made a fantastic contribution. Our thanks to everyone who has already made a donation.
Donor funding is, unfortunately, low compared with other recent natural disasters. The UN has estimated that a total of $460 million is needed.
To make a donation to the DEC Pakistan appeal call the 24-hour hotline on 0370 60 60 900, visit www.dec.org.uk or donate over the counter at any post office or high street bank. You can also send a cheque made payable to DEC Pakistan Floods Appeal to PO Box 999, London, EC3A 3AA. You can also donate £5 by texting the word GIVE to 70707.
Anthony Davis
Oxfam Midlands Campaigns
Birmingham
