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Floods Kill 1,400 in Pakistan

   VOA News 03 August 2010
   People  jostle  to get free food distributed by a trader at a camp for
   flood survivors in Risalpur, Pakistan, 03 Aug 2010

Photo: AP

   People  jostle  to get free food distributed by a trader at a camp for
   flood survivors in Risalpur, Pakistan, 03 Aug 2010

   Rain  continued  to  fall  in northwest Pakistan on Tuesday, where the
   worst flooding in memory has already killed at least 1,400 people.

   Relief  efforts  have  been  hampered  by flooded roads and washed out
   bridges, as well as damaged utilities.

   The  United Nations said the flooding has affected more than 3 million
   people.

   Some  survivors have complained about the government's response to the
   disaster.

   The  U.N.  Children's  Fund  said there is a crucial need for food and
   safe drinking water, and that the potential for disease outbreaks is a
   major concern.

   A  spokesman  for the Red Cross in Washington, Simon Schorno, told VOA
   there  is a huge risk of water contamination in the affected areas. He
   said  the  organization  is  in talks with the Pakistani government to
   give aid workers greater access to "sensitive" areas.

   The   U.N.   said  it  is  fully  committed  to  supporting  Pakistani
   authorities,  and  that  it  has  set  aside  $10  million  for relief
   operations.

   The  U.S. embassy in Islamabad said U.S. helicopters have rescued more
   than  700  people  from  flood-hit  areas  and  delivered thousands of
   kilograms  of  provisions  to flood victims. The U.S. also pledged $10
   million  for  humanitarian  assistance,  and  has  made  available  12
   pre-fabricated  steel bridges to temporarily replace destroyed bridges
   in Peshawar and Kurram Agency.

   Britain  pledged  $8 million in aid to be channeled through the United
   Nations  Children's  Fund,  to  provide  safe drinking water, toilets,
   sewage clearance and other measures.

   Islamist  charities, some with suspected ties to militant groups, also
   have stepped in to provide aid to flood victims.

   In  neighboring  Afghanistan,  flood  waters  have killed more than 60
   people.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.

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