Historic flooding overwhelms Pakistan, leaves at least 1,000 dead

More than 1,000 people in Pakistan have died in historic rushing flood waters. Hundreds of children are included in the death toll. It’s the most rainfall the region has recorded in a monsoon season in more than 30 years.

“I appeal on behalf of the government of Pakistan, on behalf of the people of Pakistan, to our expats and our friends abroad, to please come forward and help these people who in are in a very, very difficult situation,” Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, chief of Pakistan’s army staff, said. “I am sure our expats as usual will not disappoint their brothers back home in Pakistan.”

On Monday, help arrived from allied nations sending over food, tents, and supplies. However, even rescue missions are limited as there’s not enough dry ground for helicopters to land. The National Disaster Management Authority bringing in food and water is in high demand as tens of thousands of flood victims are in need.

Pakistan’s problems as a country stem past the flood. An economic crisis also looms. Pakistan says it recently narrowly avoided a default. Inflation is at an all-time high in Pakistan. An expected recovery price tag of $10 billion will only further diminish its dollar. Pakistan officials will be asking the United Nations for more assistance this week.

The United Nations in a statement said that it has allocated $3 million for U.N. aid agencies and their partners in Pakistan to respond to the floods and this money will be used for health, nutrition, food security, and water and sanitation services in flood-affected areas, focusing on the most vulnerable.

Pakistan has been an important U.S. ally in the Middle East helping to destabilize counterterrorism threats, specifically in Afghanistan.