Islamabad: On Thursday, the federal government of Pakistan officially announced a ‘National Emergency’ after rain-related incidents wreaked havoc across the country. Due to flooding, almost 937 people have died, and 30 million people are left homeless. According to the data by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the highest number of deaths were recorded in Sindh with 306, followed by Balochistan with 234 casualties and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 185 deaths. The death toll in Punjab hiked to 165. In Gilgit Baltistan, nine people passed away, while 37 died in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The federal capital also reported one death.
The NDMA reported that 166.8 mm of rain was recorded in Pakistan during August. Balochistan and Sindh faced the worst scenarios. Balochistan recorded 784 per cent more rain while Sindh reported 496 per cent more rain. Around 23 districts of Sindh were declared as calamity-hit. Viewing the humanitarian crisis caused by the abnormal monsoon system, International organisations have stepped in to provide financial aid to Pakistan. Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif asked for financial assistance on the international level.
World Bank announced a $350 million aid, and World Food Program decided to issue $110 million. Asian Development Bank also announced $20 million, followed by the UK with an aid of $1.7 million. Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has urged the citizens of Pakistan and overseas Pakistanis to play their part in raising funds for relief and rescue operations.
