Pakistan Floods: The Response Has Been Slow

Pakistan Floods: The Response Of Disaster Management Cells And Authorities Has Been Slow Says PAF

31 July 2010

Sydney (Press Release): The recent torrential rains have resulted in a truly alarming situation. Extensive flooding has affected over 400,000 people and killed well over 400. Thousands of homes across the country have been inundated. Pakistani Australian Federation (PAF) is sad to see the slow response of disaster management cells and authorities. That said, however, it is clear that the scale of the disaster is such that it has inevitably overwhelmed whatever resources are available to bodies such as the National Disaster Management Authority.

The thousands of people affected by the rains and floods need help, and need it fast. Pakistani Australian Federation (PAF) stands hand in hand with all of the affected families and will exhaust all available resources to help our brothers in strife. PAF also appeals to the Pakistani community to dig deep and support the people affected by the Pakistan floods.

PAS also stress that after the initial crisis is weathered, policymakers should turn their attention to the long-term measures required to mitigate the effects of natural disasters. This includes not just preparing contingency and coordinated response plans but also addressing issues such as wide-scale deforestation and the need to construct small dams and reservoirs in places where they could absorb excess river flows and rainwater, and store it for use during dry periods.

ENDS

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