Appeal to world for more flood aid

Pakistan appealed Saturday to the international community for an “immense humanitarian response” to unprecedented flooding that has left at least 1,265 people dead.

Federal planning minister Ahsan Iqbal said the aid is needed to help 33 million people affected by monsoon rains that triggered devastating floods. International attention to Pakistan’s plight has increased as the number of fatalities and homeless have risen. According to initial government estimates, the rain and flooding have caused $10 billion in damage.

“The scale of devastation is massive . ... For this I appeal to my fellow Pakistanis, Pakistan expatriates and the international community to help Pakistan in this hour of need,” Iqbal said.

Earlier last week, the United Nations and Pakistan jointly issued an appeal for $160 million in emergency funding to help the millions of people affected by the floods, which have damaged over 1 million homes.

Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority in its latest report Saturday counted 57 more deaths from floodaffected areas. That brought the total death toll since monsoon rains began in mid-June to 1,265, including 441 children.

Fareed Khan / Associated Press A family displaced by flooding shelters near Jaffarabad in Pakistan’s Baluchistan province. About 33 million people have been affected by monsoon rains that caused devastating floods.