India stands to provide medical aid and food assistance to flood affected Pakistan

Pakistan is witnessing, life taking repercussions because of the climate change. Since June 2022, the region is experiencing heavy rainfall than expected causing threatening situation all around. As per the information, estimated death toll have reached to 1000 and approximately 3, 64,000 people have been displaced. Many parts of the Pakistan have become unreachable and rescuers are finding ways to evacuate people. Sindh and Balochistan provinces are the worst affected areas, currently. According to the local media reports, dams have been damaged and are creating further problems. Kach dam which is 80 miles from Quetta, capital of Balochistan had been demolished due to the flood, putting lives of thousands local residents at risk.

Pakistan administration is worried with the after consequences of flood, that country has to face. Shortage of food and economic crisis is already on the edge and Pakistan has appealed for global aid. In a given statement to AFP agency news agency, country’s climate change minister Sherry Rehman named the whole scenario as ‘climate-induced humanitarian disaster of epic proportions.’ Calling it never seen before, Rehman described that one third of Pakistan is under water which has exceeded every boundary, every norm seen in the past. Experts are defining it as the same catastrophe that hit Pakistan in 2010.  

Indian climate activist Rajveer Singh said it is a natural calamity that we all are facing differently. He said, ‘Pakistan facing flood, India and China going through drought, Europe is witnessing extreme heatwaves is not easy to be taken. Climate change is affecting human life and wild life drastically and we have no other option but to survive.’ According to Singh, neighboring country is drowning because of the unexpected heavy rainfall. Instead of July, this year monsoon started in June and rained seven times than usual, in different corners of country. ‘Even though countries are now including Plans on climate change and are pledging to work rigorously for this crisis, result will be a time taking process and maybe we’ll not be alive by then’, he said.  

Approximately 15 per cent of the population is affected by the flood, out of which 5 lakh people are living in tents and 57 lakh people are without food and water, and are living in open. 7.20 lakh cattle have been died so far. United Nations have appealed $160 million for the country. Singh told EAT news, ‘Recalling the history of natural disaster in Pakistan, 2010 flood was hazardous that killed more than 2000 people and about millions of people were affected and displaced. Again, deforestation and harming environment is a highly responsible for all the chaos and destruction.’ Meanwhile, activist Singh simply and clearly blamed climate change for the wrecking situation in Pakistan, political expert Gagan Yadav pointed the political perspective around the disaster. He commented, ‘Recently, political imbalance in Pakistan made headlines and people are already not happy with the new administration. Now, people are criticizing Shehbaz Sharif’s party for being unable in protecting his own people.’ 

He further added, ‘We are watching how shortage of rescuers, military help and food necessities making flood victims to struggle. The incapability of the current administration is making things worse.’ Pakistan Finance Minister Ismail mentioned that country can consider importing food including vegetables from India, in this critical time. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted about the flood victims, ‘Saddened to see the devastation caused by the floods in Pakistan. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, the injured and all those affected by this natural calamity and hope for an early restoration of normalcy’. The tweet came right after country’s finance minister Ismail expressed trade of edible items to control inflation.  

Does India helping Pakistan raise chances of an acceptable bond from both the sides, to which political expert Yadav said, ‘No, it is a separate condition where India would be happy to help because we as a country never leave other at difficult times especially when we had a history together. But yes, we are also determined with what principles we set, follow and put it on table. India has always been a strong voice that stand against terrorism and will continue doing it until it is eradicated completely.’  

Death toll is increasing with days due to flood in Pakistan. Footages of rescuers working with shortage of equipment’s to save public stuck in flood affected areas is dejected. Pakistani influencers and actors are sharing local aid groups on their social media platforms that are helping financially and providing basic necessities to the victims. New Delhi has made it clear that India is open to help and send medical aids and food assistance to the neighboring country depends on the kind of request comes from them, but the normal trade is not going to resume anytime sooner, before both the countries agree on maintaining diplomatic ties accordingly.