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Thousands in Pakistan Flee as Floodwaters Spread South

   VOA News 05 August 2010
   A  Pakistani  villager  stands  next to a damaged portion of road wash
   away by heavy floodwater on the outskirt of Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan,
   04 Aug 2010

Photo: AP

   A  Pakistani  villager  stands  next to a damaged portion of road wash
   away by heavy floodwater on the outskirt of Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan,
   04 Aug 2010

   Thousands  of  people  are  fleeing  Pakistan's most populous areas as
   devastating floods sweep towards the south.
   Floodwaters  have  already  ravaged the northwest, leaving more than 3
   million  people to cope with destroyed houses and crops, and a lack of
   food and water.
   The  army  has been helping to evacuate people from the central Punjab
   and   southern  Sindh  provinces.   Monsoon  rains  are  expected  to
   continue.
   United  Nations  Secretary-General  Ban  Ki-moon  has  dispatched  his
   special  envoy, Jean-Maurice Ripert, to Pakistan to join the U.N. team
   already engaged in relief efforts.
   At  least  1,500  people  have  been killed in the floods.  Pakistani
   Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said so far 100,000 people have been
   rescued.
   Pakistani leaders face growing anger over what residents say is a slow
   government  response.   Many  have also questioned President Asif Ali
   Zardari's decision to continue a trip to Europe.
   The  World  Food  Program  said nearly 2 million people are in need of
   food assistance.
   In  Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Wednesday
   that Pakistan can count on long-term U.S. support.  She outlined U.S.
   aid  that  has  already  been  sent  and  announced a program in which
   Americans can contribute to the relief effort.
   The  International  Red  Cross  said that in addition to other damage,
   floodwaters  have  destroyed  much of the health infrastructure in the
   worst   affected   areas,  leaving  people  especially  vulnerable  to
   water-borne diseases.
   The United Nations, Britain and Canada also have committed millions of
   dollars in aid to Pakistan.
   Islamist  charities, some with suspected ties to militant groups, also
   have stepped in to provide aid to flood victims. Â
   Prime  Minister Gilani announced Wednesday that Cabinet ministers will
   donate one month's salary to flood victims.

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

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