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Massive floods across Pakistan | Thousands Killed

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WASHINGTON: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani has called for greater American public support for the country’s flood victims.

Haqqani faulted coverage of the tragedy in the American media. He pointed out that the media ignored the plight of flood victims and instead focused unduly on political and security implications of the floods that triggered an epic humanitarian crisis.

Haqqani was making an impassioned appeal to back recovery efforts for flood victims to a gathering of American citizens, Congressional staffers and Pakistani-Americans....

...[The ambassador] stressed that Pakistan’s flood victims would still need a lot of support from individual donors and private charitable giving in the United States...
 
"...Upon [actress Angelina Jolie's] return to the US, she gave a blunt report to the UN. She asked why Pakistani officials live such an ostentatious lifestyle while the poor fight over a bag of rice. She mentioned the lavish dinner laid out for her at the prime minister’s residence, itself reflecting the opulent lifestyle of the elites. That dinner could have fed at least 100 people. She told the UN, the world community should not send any aid to Pakistan until officials there live less extravagantly and make some sacrifices to help the flood victims...If a Hollywood actress not too familiar with politics can understand what is wrong with Pakistan, why can’t the people see this and rise up to get rid of the parasites masquerading as rulers and leaders of Pakistan?" link
 
Construction of houses under Zakat fund

Karachi—As many as 10,000 houses would be constructed in the first phase under Zakat Fund in the flood affected districts of Sindh.

This was informed at the meeting of the Department of Zakat held at the Chief Minister House here on Wednesday. Chief minister of Syed, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, presided over the meeting. An official statement said that meeting considered various matters and suggestions regarding the ministries being devolved to the provinces after the 19th Amendment, especially that of department of Zakat.

The meeting decided that necessary legislation would be carried out regarding the deduction of Zakat amount and disbursement of Zakat to the Mustahkeen. Provincial Secretary Zakat, Iqbal Ahsen Zaidi, briefed the meeting regarding Zakat fund and the public welfare projects by the Department of Zakat.

A five-member committee was formed for coming up with recommendations regarding construction of houses and consultation with the non-government organizations (NGOs) and other organizations in this regard.
 
Pakistani, U.S. Officials Mark End of U.S. Military Flood Mission

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ISLAMABAD (Dec. 2, 2010) — Pakistani and American officials bid farewell to the humanitarian airlift team at a ceremony on Ghazi Aviation Base today after four months of U.S. military flood relief operations in Pakistan.
“This operation leaves an indelible mark on the people and the military of Pakistan,” Lt. Gen. Asif Yasin Malik, Pakistan Army 11 Corps Commander, said at the ceremony.

Within 36 hours of the flooding, U.S. Air Force C-130 and C-17 aircraft began aid flights on July 31, delivering more than 436,000 halal meals to Pakistanis in flood-affected regions. The U.S. dispatched six Army helicopters from Afghanistan to Ghazi on Aug. 4 to begin emergency relief flights.
The Pakistan Army’s 21 Quick Reaction Squadron, its 28 Army Aviation Squadron, Special Support Group, Special Services Support Group and the U.S. 16TH Combat Aviation Brigade’s Task Force Denali, deployed from Fort Wainwright, Alaska, provided more than 25 million pounds (about 11 million kilograms) of relief supplies and transported more than 40,000 people displaced by flooding throughout Pakistan.

U.S. military aircraft from Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan and from Navy ships off the coast of Karachi also provided logistical support.

"We are grateful to our American friends who were very helpful. This would not have been possible without you," said Brigadier Sajid Naeem, who heads NDMA Member Operations.

At the request of the Pakistani government, the U.S. military flew its last humanitarian airlift mission Nov. 30.

“Let me be honest, whenever we got stuck, whether it was relief or early recovery, we knew we could fall back upon the government of the United States and the people of the United States to get targeted assistance,” Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Nadeem Ahmed, the NDMA chairman, said at a Dec. 1 ceremony where he received a plaque signifying the friendship between the people of the U.S. and Pakistan.

“That is the beauty of the relationship,” Nadeem said. “I’m not really concerned about the dollars provided to the government or the people of Pakistan but look at its impact. It has made the difference. One, it was given at the right time. Second, it was given in the right sector, so there was no hedging with regard to time. When we required it, we got it. If you look at the impact of the relief on the lives of the people, the impact has been phenomenal. By all standards, it has been phenomenal; you can see that all across the country.”

The focus in Pakistan is shifting from emergency humanitarian airlift to sustained recovery and reconstruction as road networks become more viable.

“This was not the beginning and it was not the end; this is a continuation of the U.S.-Pakistan relationship,” Asif said.

At today’s ceremony, U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron P. Munter said the U.S. will continue to work “in full coordination and cooperation with Pakistan’s government, and based on the government’s assessment of needs for recovery and rebuilding.”

In addition to the humanitarian airlift assistance, U.S. monetary aid for flood relief has topped half a billion dollars. With this transition, the U.S. Agency for International Assistance (USAID) and other civilian agencies will continue to provide assistance to flood victims.

“Pakistan is an important strategic partner of the United States. We are joined by common values, interests--and by our common humanity. We provide aid to Pakistan not only because we value our relationship but because it is the right thing to do,” Munter added.

In opening remarks to the crowd of some 200 Pakistani and U.S. soldiers, Munter also praised the troops for their relief efforts.

“Here we stand in the presence of true heroes. I salute the Pakistani and U.S. military forces who have worked tirelessly, shoulder-to-shoulder, under extremely adverse conditions, to help millions of Pakistanis who were affected by this summer’s devastating floods,” he said.

Brig. Gen. Michael Nagata, the U.S. Office of the Defense Representative-Pakistan deputy commander, said American troops “responded quickly and worked tirelessly to help our friends in Pakistan. It was a matter of life and death for countless people, and I’m incredibly proud of this team’s life-saving achievements.”

The ceremony was also attended by U.S. Consul General-Peshawar Elizabeth Rood and Michael Whiting, the World Food Program’s United Nations Humanitarian Air Service air coordinator.

In closing, Nagata said, “We have been honored to partner with the military forces of Pakistan to bring aid and comfort for those in need. The support, camaraderie and spirit of cooperation and shared effort have been extraordinary.”

DET- U.S Central Command
CENTCOM
 
One million displaced need aid in Sindh: UN
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Bibi Nooran, who has been displaced by floods, takes refuge at a roadside makeshift camp for flood victims in Sujawal, Sindh.—Reuters

SEHWAN: The UN chief of humanitarian affairs said Friday that more than one million displaced people still need emergency aid in southern Pakistan, around four months after catastrophic floods.

Monsoon rains ravaged a fifth of Pakistan in July and August, affecting 21 million people, consuming entire villages, wiping out agricultural land and destroying industries in the country’s worst ever natural disaster.

Sindh province in the south was one of the worst-affected areas and large swaths of the territory are still submerged in flood waters.

“Initially more than seven million people were affected by the floods in southern Sindh province and still one million of them need emergency response,” Valerie Amos, the UN emergency relief coordinator, told AFP.

On Friday, she visited displaced families living in camps in Sehwan, where she reiterated warnings that the crisis could drag on well into 2011.

“It could take about six to seven months until the water recedes and homeless people go to their native areas to rebuild their homes and plant their crops,” she said.

The United Nations launched a two-billion-dollar appeal in September to help flood victims, of which foreign donors have stumped up 49 per cent.

“What we have is sufficient for the immediate future but we need to do more. We must work together to help people to get back on their feet as soon as possible,” said Amos.

“Most of people have returned to their villages and our effort is to help all of them to go back home.

“People increasingly want to go back. They want to rebuild their homes. They want to plant crops so they can feed to their families next year.”

She said the world body was making efforts to avert any future health crisis among the homeless people, warning that the situation remains “very difficult”.

“We don’t want people, especially children, to be victims of respiratory problems due to the cold as winter has arrived. For this, shelter is extremely important, which we are providing on priority.”
 
Malaysia contributes additional humanitarian aid to Pakistan

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has contributed RM500,000 as additional humanitarian assistance to Pakistan for relief efforts following the devastating floods in July.

The first cash contribution of RM3.4mil to Pakistan was made in early August.

Wisma Putra in a statement here said Friday that the contribution was drawn from the Disaster Fund by the ministry and was handed over Thursday in a brief ceremony held at the Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Charge d'Affaires of the Malaysian High Commission in Islamabad presented the contribution on behalf of the Malaysian government to Pakistan's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Nawabzada Malik Ahmad Khan.

Malaysia hoped to contribute positively in assisting the Pakistan government carry out its humanitarian programmes, the statement said.

The programmes focus on meeting the myriad of challenges including the reconstruction of damaged homes, roads, bridges, water filtration plants and medical facilities.

Malaysia contributes additional humanitarian aid to Pakistan
 
Turkey sends 5,000 pairs of shoes to Pakistan

The Turkish Red Crescent Society has sent 5,000 pairs of shoes to Pakistan in a bid to contribute to the country's relief efforts from its largest flood disaster ever.

The society has earlier sent 15 thousand shoes to the country with the collaboration of a chamber of shoe makers in the capital, Ankara.

Turkey has sent humanitarian aid worth of 25 million USD to flood-hit Pakistan so far. Also, more than 200 million USD have been collected in bank accounts as part of aid campaigns. We will also help Pakistan in its rebuilding process.

Turkey sends 5,000 pairs of shoes to Pakistan [ WORLD BULLETIN- TURKEY NEWS, WORLD NEWS ]
 
Sheikha Alyazia sells painting to aid Pakistan relief

ABU DHABI // The artist is rarely seen in public and declines to be photographed, but each work bears her distinctive signature: a canvas buckled by its broken frame.

The ritual is conducted before she even picks up a brush, when Sheikha Alyazia bint Nahyan Al Nahyan turns the blank portion away from her and smashes the wood with her knee.

These are serious projects for the 25-year-old daughter of Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The sale of one painting recently raised more than Dh1 million for relief efforts in Pakistan and another is to be given as a state gift.

Sheikha Alyazia sells painting to aid Pakistan relief - The National
 
just photography and juxtaposing 2 horrible disasters and how mother nature never discriminates.....

the visuals were telling and gave a good idea to audience some of the extent of what we were (and still are perhaps) dealing with

i like the treatment and the way in which it was filmed
 
PICTURES: Spider webs cocoon trees after Pakistan floods

CBBC - Newsround - PICTURES: Spider webs cocoon trees after Pakistan floods


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This spooky scene from Sindh in Pakistan is an unexpected side effect from the huge floods that hit the country last year...




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When the flooding hit last July and August, millions of spiders climbed onto the trees to escape the water. The pics are from the UK Department for International Development.




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But because the flooding was so huge and has taken so long to drain away, the spiders have stayed in the trees - and cocooned them in spiderwebs!




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People living in Sindh say they've never seen anything like this before. They've also noticed fewer mosquitoes around since it happened.




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It's thought the mosquitoes are getting caught in the spiderwebs. It's a small relief for people recovering from the floods because mosquitoes spread the deadly disease malaria.




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The British government has been working hard to help the flood victims, providing things like healthcare and trying to get thousands of kids back to school.
 
that is some creepy shyte.....but nature has its mystical ways, even in disasters

spooky trees is better than malaria transmitting mosquitos.....a good mosquito is the one squashed and lifeless under my steel-tipped Doc Martins!
 

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