The number of people known to have been killed by floods in north-west Pakistan has passed 1,100, officials say.

About 30,000 troops have joined the relief effort, with large parts of the north-west submerged by the worst monsoon rains in memory.

There are also fears that with more rain forecast for the next 24 hours, some areas face further threats.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-10832166

During the weekend I knew about severe flood in Pakistan through CNN. I wish God would comfort those who have lost loved ones and homes. To me Pakistanis are our fellow human beings before Muslims. As fellow human beings we need to pray for those who are suffering and give them our help. As I see these kinds of natural disasters in the world, I tend to yearn more for a new heaven and a new earth where we will live forever with no tear, no pain and no death.

When God created the world, it was perfect. There was no sin, no death, and no tragedy. Adam and Eve were given full freedom to do whatever they wanted, but God wanted to make sure that He was the Creator and they (Adam and Even) were still his creatures, thus giving them one and only restriction, “But you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die” (Genesis 2:17). But they gave in to the temptation of the Satan, “you will be like God” (Genesis 3:5). In effect they said to God, “God, we want to be the Creator ourselves. We do not need you anymore. We ask you to leave our lives now and never return!” When Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, sin entered the world for the first time. Death, disease, pain, and senseless tragedies were the result. They are with us still. The separation from God is nothing but the curse for both mankind and the earth (Genesis 3:17-18), which was caused by our walking away from the Source of blessing and protection (God), rather than by God’s punishment for our sin and rebellion. Though God was pushed out of our lives, He still loves and cares us who are created as the focus of his love. There is nothing more important to our Creator than for every one of us to have as much happiness and fulfillment as humanly possible. When bad things happen, God still feels our pain, is very present with us, and works to bring out the best in a bad situation.

Here is the story thus far, as told by the numbers :

Cost to Agriculture:
US$1,000,000,000
(US$ 1 Billion in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa only)

Pakistanis Affected:
2,500,000
(including incidents of disease and displacement and with rising threats of epidemics)

Households needing help:
100,000
(Mostly in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa)

People still waiting to be evacuated:
27,000
(Including 1500 tourists)

International Relief Pledged so far:
US$30,000,000+
(Including US$10 million from the United States, another US$10 million from the United Nations and US$8 million from United Kingdom)

Death Toll:
1650+
(Estimate of 1500+ in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa only)

What are Good Ways to Help Flood Victims in Pakistan

One question that many people have been asking is ‘What is the best way to help those – who have been affected by the recent torrential rains and floods in Pakistan?’

The most honest answer, I think, is that right now so much help and assistance is needed by so many that no matter how you help, and through whom, it will be a good thing and it will make the lives of at least some at least a little more bearable.

At the most immediate level there are those who have lost their loved ones who need solace as well as support. There are those who have lost their homes who need shelter and sustenance. There are those who have (or will) loose their livelihoods who will need alternatives and options. The needs of the first two are most immediate and clearly should be a priority today. But the pain of the third group is going to be also profound and will linger over not just months but years. The number in the third group is also likely to be the largest and their needs are least likely to be served by conventional ‘relief’ efforts.

I say this not at all to distract from the pressing immediate needs of relief today and right now, but only to highlight that the challenges this water brings upon us are immediate, but also longer-range. Very large number of people will suffer long after the waters have receded. Especially as the loss to agriculture and crops and through disease and displacement begins to take its toll. If we are to ever respond to this challenge then we need to respond both to the immediate needs and the longer-range ones.

Luckily Pakistani as well as international relief agencies have already begun mobilizing in response. There are many lists and emails already being developed of good places to donate through and ways in which we can all help. As we have been doing, we urge you to help in whatever way you can, through whatever means you have, and via whatever organizations you trust. Give to whoever you think most highly of. But please do give.

http://pakistaniat.com/2010/08/05/best-ways-to-help-flood-victims-in-pakistan/

List Of Medical Supplies that they direly need:

1. Water purification tablets.
2. Life saving drugs.
3. Vaccines for malaria, cholera, typhoid, influenza.
4. Pain killers including strong morphine derivatives, tremadol, pethidine, kinz .
5. Antibiotics e.g. amoxil, gentamycin.
6. IV cannulas
7. IV Drip sets
8. IV drips: normal saline, ringer lactate
9. Local anesthetics (injections)
10. Cotton bandages, cotton.
11. Surgical instruments: e.g needle holders, forceps, tweezers.
12. Suturing materials, Skin staples