The unprecedented monsoon season has affected all four provinces of Pakistan, causing flash floods across the country that have affected 33 million Pakistanis, destroyed nearly 1 million homes and killed at least 1,061 people. Images captured and released by Maxar Technologies on Sunday show high levels of flooding along the Indus River as well as the towns of Rajanpur and Rojhan in Punjab province. An overview of the Indus River before and after the flood in Rajanpur, Pakistan, on March 24 and August 28, respectively. (Maxar Technologies/Reuters) Prime Minister Shabaz Sharif said on Monday that the government would provide shelter to all those who lost their homes. However, many people displaced by the floods say they not only lost their homes but also their crops and small shops. Stranded people cross a flooded area after heavy monsoon rains in Rajanpur district of Punjab province on August 25. (Shahid Saeed Mirza/AFP/Getty Images)
Urgent appeal for help
The floods have destroyed more than 150 bridges and many roads have been washed away, making rescue operations difficult. Authorities say they were using military planes, helicopters, trucks and boats to pull people away from the submerged people and deliver the help they need. An overview shows fields and houses along the Indus River before and after floods in Rojhan, Pakistan, on March 24 and August 28, respectively. (Maxar Technologies/Reuters) However, many survivors complain that they are still waiting for help or have received very little help from the government after being displaced by floods. Some people say they got tents but no food. Pakistani charities have also been active in flood-affected areas, and the government says everyone should contribute to help flood victims. Pakistani army personnel distribute food parcels to flood victims after heavy monsoon rains in Rajanpur district of Punjab province on August 27. (Shahid Saeed MIRZA/AFP/Getty Images)
International aid is starting to arrive
International aid arrived in Pakistan on Monday as the army and volunteers desperately tried to evacuate many thousands stranded by widespread monsoon flooding. An overview shows a village and fields before and after the flood in Rajanpur, Pakistan, on March 24 and August 28, respectively. (Maxar Technologies/Reuters) Cargo planes from Turkey and the United Arab Emirates began an international rush to help the impoverished nation, landing in Islamabad on Sunday carrying tents, food and other daily necessities. Trucks carrying tents, food and water arranged by Pakistan are also being sent to various parts of the country by the National Disaster Management Authority for tens of thousands of flood victims. Pakistani army personnel distribute food to flood victims near a makeshift camp after heavy monsoon rains in Rajanpur district of Punjab province on August 27. (Shahid Saeed Mriza/AFP/Getty Images)
Floods hit the financial crisis
Pakistan is facing one of its worst economic crises. The government says it recently narrowly avoided a default, and later on Monday the IMF’s executive board was expected to approve the release of a long-awaited $2.2 billion for the country. The United Nations will launch an international appeal for victims of Pakistan’s floods on Tuesday in Islamabad.
