Pakistan floods: Birmingham communities come together to raise funds

The flash floods have reportedly affected 33 million people across Pakistan and more than 1,000 people perished
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Pakistan is facing devastating floods and, with many people in Birmingham having links to the country, relief efforts have begun.

The flash floods have reportedly affected 33 million people across Pakistan, according to the World Food Programme. Local faith groups have responded immediately by raising funds to help those affected. Birmingham’s Perry Barr MP Khalid Mahmood has also travelled to Pakistan to review the situation and take action.

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Mahmood tweeted on Monday (29 August): “At present I am in Pakistan. Having seen the flooding I am arranging meetings with Government and Military Officials to support the victims of this devastating tragedy. My thoughts and prayers are with all the people affected by the floods.”

He shared multiple videos from the country that show the devastating effects of the floods - which have created a humanitarian crisis.

Fundraising in Birmingham

Two faith-based organisations from Birmingham have told how they are trying their best to help out the South Asian nation, which has a population of 220 million.

1. An educational institute in Birmingham - As-Suffa Relief - is currently on the grounds of the most affected areas of Pakistan due to the flooding. An As-Suffa representative said two mosques in Birmingham had fundraisers over the weekend and there might be more coming up. Two brothers from Birmingham are also flying out today to join the efforts on the ground, according to the representative.

You can donate to them here.

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2. Birmingham Central Mosque collected funds on Friday (26 August) and plan to do it again on Friday (2 September). However, they said they help affected families “through different charities like Islamic Relief or others they are working on ground”.

People displaced due to flooding hold pots as they queue receive food in Dera Allah Yar town after heavy monsoon rains in Jaffarabad district, Balochistan province, on August 30, 2022. (Photo by FIDA HUSSAIN/AFP via Getty Images)People displaced due to flooding hold pots as they queue receive food in Dera Allah Yar town after heavy monsoon rains in Jaffarabad district, Balochistan province, on August 30, 2022. (Photo by FIDA HUSSAIN/AFP via Getty Images)
People displaced due to flooding hold pots as they queue receive food in Dera Allah Yar town after heavy monsoon rains in Jaffarabad district, Balochistan province, on August 30, 2022. (Photo by FIDA HUSSAIN/AFP via Getty Images)

Response from United Nations

The scale of the natural disaster has been one to require help from United Nations. “The World Food Programme (WFP) is supporting Pakistan as the country takes stock of floods which have reportedly killed more than 1,000 people and displaced some 33 million,” the UN agency said on Monday.

Julien Harneis, UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in the country, called for “burden-sharing and solidarity” internationally in the wake of the “climate-change driven catastrophe.”

This aerial view shows a flooded residential area in Dera Allah Yar town after heavy monsoon rains in Jaffarabad district, Balochistan province on August 30, 2022. (Photo by FIDA HUSSAIN/AFP via Getty Images)This aerial view shows a flooded residential area in Dera Allah Yar town after heavy monsoon rains in Jaffarabad district, Balochistan province on August 30, 2022. (Photo by FIDA HUSSAIN/AFP via Getty Images)
This aerial view shows a flooded residential area in Dera Allah Yar town after heavy monsoon rains in Jaffarabad district, Balochistan province on August 30, 2022. (Photo by FIDA HUSSAIN/AFP via Getty Images)

The scale of the disaster

More than 500,000 people were affected in provinces of Balochistan and Sindh. The floods have also affected lives in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab.

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There has been damage to infrastructure as well as more than 100 bridges and almost 3,000km of roads were damaged or destroyed. Also, almost 800,000 farm animals died and two million acres of crops and orchards were impacted.

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