Just as they did around this time last year, devastating floods, caused by heavy monsoon rain, have once again struck the unhappy country of Pakistan. So far this year nearly 250 people have been killed and more than 600,000 homes have been destroyed. Last year, up to 2,000 people lost their lives.
The United Nations has launched an appeal for more than £230 million to help the estimated six million who have been affected this year. Once again, the Pakistan government has been criticised for what has been seen an ineffectual response.
More than two million people are said to be suffering from flood-related illnesses, while at least 7,000 have been bitten by snakes. Local people claim that if proper drainage systems had been in place, many lives could have been saved.
(See also my blogs of July 20, Aug 11, 17 and 23, 2010, and 27 Jan, 2011.)
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