Photo Credit: Monica K. Smith, U.S. Army, Damaged bridge in the Swat valley in Pakistan on August 11th, 2010. The bridge was destroyed by flood waters.

I realize that many countries, including my own, are facing tough economic conditions… And we’ve also endured an unrelenting stream of disasters this year — from the earthquake in Haiti to the wildfires in Russia. But we must answer the Pakistani request for help.” ~Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, nytimes.com

Pakistan is experiencing a reportedly worse disaster than Haiti’s Earthquake, the Tsunami and the South Asian Earthquake put together. After 2 weeks of flooding and heavy rains an area the size of Italy or Florida is underwater and aid has been so slow there’s an outcry not just from flood victims, but from aid agencies.

Frustrated flood victims blocked a highway on Monday to demand government help. As time passes the risks increase for already spreading water-borne diseases.

The UN estimates 4.6 million are homeless now, at least 6 million will be living in tents, even more are in dire need of food and water, and yet the US must still concern itself with “insurgents”. I suppose as the anger and frustrations rise we can expect to see a spike in their numbers, especially if the wartime effort is continued there.

The US has committed to a meager $150 million, though as I noted in G8 Nations Plan To Drop Promised Aid To Africa and France Urged To Repay Haiti’s 200 Year Old Debt many pledges from other countries, including the US, have fallen short in the past. That’s mere pocket change compared to what we’ve spent on our wartime misadventures abroad, including in Pakistan, our pseudo-ally.

Video can give you a better idea of what they’re up against.

PBSNewsHour: Pakistan ‘Can’t Cope Alone’ With Massive Flooding

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