More than 300,000 homeless in Pakistan floods
  • 13 years ago
Flood waters continue to rise in southern Pakistan.
Thousands of people here have been forced from their homes in the last few weeks, sparking what some are calling a humanitarian crisis.
Overall the floods, triggered by heavy monsoon rains, have killed more than 230 people and displaced 300,000 others.
Many are without shelter or food, prompting sharp criticism of the cash-strapped Pakistani government.
(SOUNDBITE) (Sindhi) MAN DISPLACED BY FLOODS, ALLAH BACHAYO, SAYING:
"We are dying of hunger. We are not getting any relief goods. They bring the relief supplies but we son't get them. Two, three trucks came here but they disappeared. I don't know where they went but we didn't get anything."
As a result, many people have ended up in aid camps - like this one - run by influential Islamist groups growing in popularity.
Life in the camps is spartan.
But for flood victims like Sabira - a mother of six - it's a better propspect than home.
(SOUNDBITE) (Sindhi) MOTHER OF SIX CHILDREN, FLOOD VICTIM SHABIRA, SAYING:
"We have come here to escape the floods. Our entire village was destroyed. We have nothing left. Our cattle died and our houses collapsed."
Pakistani leaders are battling to help flood victims.
But analysts say the relative success of camps run by Islamists could deal a severe blow the government's credibility.
Andrew Raven, Reuters
Recommended