Protestant and Catholic church leaders from all across Pakistan made a plea for assistance on Sunday, August 28, in support of flood victims there, where the government has declared a national emergency.
A third of Pakistan is submerged, according to the National Disaster Management Authority. People’s houses, animals, and possessions have been lost as a result of the drowned residential areas. While metropolitan regions are having trouble, the majority of the impacted areas are rural ones. Karachi, Pakistan’s biggest metropolis, has had infrastructure devastated.
Since June, there have been over 1,100 fatalities and over 33 million displaced or otherwise impacted individuals. According to Pakistan’s Federal Flood Commission, the current floods are worse than those that hit the nation in 2010.
Church leaders have pleaded for assistance from both the local and global populations. The head of the Pakistan Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Archbishop Joseph Arshad of Islamabad-Rawalpindi, made an appeal to the Christian community to stand in solidarity with their brethren who are suffering from the floods.
Water is currently everywhere, putting people in a tough position, he added. “Millions of people are without homes and are forced to live outside. They need food, medication, and tents. As a result, it is the duty of every single Pakistani to provide practical assistance to flood victims.
Christian charities are among those engaged in humanitarian efforts, although they face budget constraints and accessibility problems: People are hard to approach since roads and bridges have been devastated. Charity workers are trying to reach everyone by boat, but so far they haven’t been successful.
Amjad Gulzar, the executive director of Caritas Pakistan, the social ministry of the Catholic Church in that nation, said in his plea that Caritas is looking for help and support for flood victims. He noted that Caritas’ Immediate Response Teams were reaching out to the impacted communities via diocesan offices, offering emergency assistance, and doing damage assessments.
In order to improve the coordination process and make the relief efforts more efficient, “our team members have been meeting with government district authorities and other organizations,” Gulzar added.
The Pakistan Kissan Rabita Committee, a confederation of small farmer groups, general secretary Farooq Tariq told CNA: “We are glad that the whole country is reacting to the present situation. People are giving freely to support humanitarian efforts. In only a few days, we have collected 2 million Pakistani rupees (or around 900 US dollars) for relief efforts. Our volunteers are doing well on the ground despite the challenging conditions.
However, he said, “the situation is so dire that we need additional assistance from individuals. “Untold numbers of people are still in need of decent housing, clothes, food, and medical care. They are also waiting for assistance. Women, children, the elderly, and those with disabilities need additional assistance and care.
State agencies, such as the army, are trying to rescue people and provide food and shelter to those in need. The demand is still quite severe, however. Arshad gave specific thanks to those working in the administration and the military who are providing aid.
The nation is now experiencing a very difficult situation, according to Catholic Bishop Samson Shukardin of Hyderabad, Sindh province, as people are suffering from homelessness, hunger, and the loss of loved ones.
Pope Francis’ appeal
Along with other international leaders, Pope Francis on Sunday called on the international community to help Pakistan.
“In this place that suffered a harsh calamity, I want to assure the people of Pakistan, hit by floods of disastrous proportions, of my nearness,” the pope said in his Angelus on Sunday while visiting L’Aquila, Italy. “I pray for the numerous victims, for the wounded and those forced from their homes, and that international solidarity might be prompt and generous.”
On Monday, Pakistani newspapers’ front pages included the pope’s plea. Catholics thanked the pope for his comments towards people afflicted by the disaster.
Catholic Muzaffargarh teacher Haroon Samuel told CNA that Pakistanis of all faiths, including Muslims, were grateful to Pope Francis for his compassion for all Pakistanis.