The Express Tribune via AFP: Pakistan called on the world Tuesday to speed up relief efforts after torrential rains exacerbated major floods, killing 270 people and making another 200,000 homeless in the south of the country.
Local officials say devastation in parts of the country’s main breadbasket is worse than last year, when a fifth of the country was left under water by the country’s worst ever floods that affected a total of 21 million people. The government is trying to fend off criticism of an inadequate response to the floods for a second year running, by urging the international community to step up help to already aid-dependent Pakistan.
For months, aid groups had warned the government to invest in adequate prevention measures to mitigate against seasonal rains, avoid a repeat of last year’s $10 billion losses, and protect those left vulnerable two years running.
“At least 270 people have died so far because of falling roofs, drowning in flooding waters and subsequent diseases among the affected families,” said Sajjad Haider Shah, a disaster management official in Sindh....
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