Torrential rain has caused flooding in Pakistan over the past few weeks that has affected over 20 million people. An estimated 1,600 people have died as a result of the flooding. Rain is expected to continue, worsening flooding. Over one-fifth of land in Pakistan is under water.
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is responding to the disaster in Pakistan with ecumenical partners. PDA's update on the floods in Pakistan highlights the disasters that have plagued the country over the past few years:
"The floods hit as the country continues to struggle to recover from five years of successive disasters. In 2005, a massive earthquake devastated parts of Pakistan. 2006 and 2007 brought floods that claimed lives, destroyed homes and killed livestock. In 2008, another powerful earthquake rendered thousands homeless in Balochistan at the onset of winter, and in 2009 millions were displaced as a result of conflict between the Pakistan military and militants in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Waziristan. Throughout these disasters, droughts and water shortages have also plagued the region, crippling its agricultural system and food supply."
PDA has a bulletin insert that churches can use to urge members to respond to the floods in Pakistan. Learn how your church can be involved through giving, acting, and praying on the PDA website. Give to help with Pakistan flood relief on PDA's website.
Though climate scientists caution that "weather" cannot be misconstrued as "climate," there have been several articles recently tying the onslaught of disasters in recent weeks – flooding in Pakistan, China, and Iowa and wildfires in Russia – to predictions made about climate change in the 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Read one of these articles from the Associated Press.
Let us give, act, and pray in response to Pakistan's floods. May our actions lead to stewardship of God's earth and justice for all people.