The floods which have hit Pakistan this year started off because of the early monsoon rains in June. Since then these floods have hit a staggering level. Almost 1/3rd of the country is underwater – which if seen in retrospect exceeds the total area of the UK. So much so, almost 15% population has been affected, leaving half a million people homeless. These quoted numbers are not final, as the full extent of the damage is still unknown and these percentages might as well rise.
Quite a lot of citizens have gotten together to help the needy. NGOs and state-owned channels have combined their efforts to get the aid transported to the affected areas. International celebrities have also flown in such as; Angelina Jolie came a few days ago, Mufti Menk (a Zimbabwean Islamic scholar) is also here, looking after the aid being distributed.
The main issue that prevails is, local government officials, policemen, & feudal lords are hoarding the relief goods. Local landlords have truckloads of goods received but all they have done is, filled their warehouses. Nothing is distributed among the affectees in such areas. If locals demand their rights, the police beat them saying it is as per the discretion of the landlord if he will say, only then you will be getting anything.
International aid has arrived, but inequality persists even in crises like this. This is such an unfortunate state of affairs that has dented the rehabilitation of these people. These landlords are so full of themselves that I guess they have forgotten the fact, there is someone more powerful than them Who is looking over all this, and the moment He decides that it’s enough, He will pull the rope and they will all be gone in no time.
People have now using social media to warn the international and national donors that don’t give anything to this local government or the feudal lords, rather the Pakistan Army should step in & take control of things so that justice can be served and every affectee can benefit.
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Osama Writes 