Sindh must not be left alone
The havoc caused by the rains and flood in Sindh has assumed grim proportions. While the army and navy have helped thousands of those affected, tens of thousands more await rescue under the clouded skies. Those who have succeeded to make to the camps face shortages of food, clean water and medicines. Diseases like dysentery and malaria are meanwhile taking human lives. On Thursday, Pakistan Medical Association chided the government for negligence and lack of preparedness and raised alarm over the possible outbreak of epidemics. The most vulnerable are the expecting mothers who have no money to arrange for deliveries. The material losses are simply mind-boggling. Crops over thousands of acres of land have been washed away, complete villages wiped out, thousands of cattle heads lost while the flood water standing in some areas for 5-6 weeks is degrading the quality of the arable land.
The government has so far announced only Rs 25 thousands for each family as compensation for their losses which is simply insignificant. The Supreme Court was told that the actual money distributed in Sanghar was only Rs 12 per person. The belated appeal for funds launched by the PM on September 10 has failed to make much impact as the total contributed so far is reportedly less than Rs 100 million. This is a reflection on the credibility of the government. The government has to urgently arrange for food, medicines and tents and prepare for the rehabilitation of the affectees. Billions of rupees of discretionary funds at the disposal of the President and PM and secret funds with the information ministry need to be diverted to the rain affected population. Unlike the 2005 earthquake, the rains in Sindh have failed to galvanise the entire nation. Natural calamities like devastating earthquakes tend to attract much attention on account of the awe they inspire. Destruction on high scale is generally not associated with rains. The rest of the country has to be made to realise the extent of the tremendous destruction in Sindh.
There is a need on the part of the political parties to launch a joint appeal for funds for the rescue of the rain-cum-flood affected people of the second largest province. Sindh must not be left alone at this moment of dire need.
