World Humanitarian Day: A time to help Pakistan World
Humanitarian Day (August 19) may not be highlighted on your
calendar – but it's an opportunity to take action to help those
in need, and to honor the people delivering humanitarian aid on
the frontlines. Pakistan’s government has described the floods
as the most debilitating natural disaster in the country’s
history and has requested international support. Most estimates
say at least 15 million people have been affected, some 8
million acres of crop land destroyed, and 80% of all farm
animals – with anywhere from one-fifth to one-third of the
country under water. And these numbers are bound to rise, as
rains and more flooding continue. The UN estimates $459 million
is needed to address this catastrophe, but surely it will take
billions more to rebuild Pakistan's infrastructure and economy
over the coming years. These floods are a double-catasrophe for
many in the Swat Valley, who were only recently forced to flee
their homes to escape the conflict in the n