Islamabad: As the death toll in Pakistan’s devastating floods rose to 1350, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday made an emotional appeal for more help from the international community.
He told mediapersons after visiting some of the worst flood-hit areas that parts of Pakistan looked “like a sea.”
One-third of the country has been affected by the heavy rains and floods, leaving hundreds of thousands homeless and causing losses of at least $10 billion, according to official estimate.
“You wouldn’t believe the scale of destruction there… It is water everywhere as far as you could see. It is just like a sea,” Sharif said after surveying the southern province of Sindh.
He observed that receding waters pose a fresh challenge in the form of water-born infectious diseases.
“We will need trillions of rupees to cope with this calamity,” he pleaded.
The United Nations has called for $160 million in aid to help Pakistan’s flood victims, while many countries have come forward with aid.
The PM said the government has handed out cash for the victims to the tune of 70 billion Pakistani rupees ($313.90 million) and will buy 200,000 tents to provide shelter to displaced families.
The World Health Organization has said more than 6.4 million people need support in flooded areas.
There was nearly 190% more rain in Pakistan than the 30-year average in July-August. Sindh, the worst affected province, received 466% surplus rain.
