Government delays while Pakistan floods

Flooding in Pakistan has left hundreds of thousands of people homeless and authorities warn the situation is worsening daily. 

LAHORE, PAKISTAN (Catholic Online) - The military has come to the aid of many people, rescuing thousands in the Sindh province on Wednesday. Soldiers are using inflatable boats and virtually anything else they can to rescue people from the dangerous, rising waters
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According to the military, rations are also being delivered. They have so far reported delivering about 60 tons of food to 30 villages cut off by the flooding. 

Flooding has destroyed an estimated 1.2 million homes since late last month. Aid officials tell reporters that entire villages have been destroyed. In many areas, the flood waters are so high that only rooftops or the tops of trees mark where quiet villages once stood. 

Most victims have lost everything. 

As the victims flee the lowlands for high ground, they also impact those areas, placing additional strain on communities that are built on higher ground. Many cannot even get that far, however, and are forced to remain in lightly flooded areas, where the ground remains wet.

While the military has done what it can, many criticize what they see as the government's inaction. The government is notoriously weak and corrupt and it is fighting a war with the Taliban and other Islamic militants. However, their slow response cannot do much to help retain power in a country where the current government is becoming increasingly unpopular. 

Protests have erupted in several places as displaced people demand aid. 

Adding to the misery is the threat of disease. As people crowd into small shelters, and water becomes contaminated, diseases are beginning to infect people. Diarrhea, fevers, and skin diseases are being reported. Children are at particular risk.

Eight people have already died of dengue fever. Government health officials have also estimated that there are at least 2,000 confirmed cases of malaria in the flooded region and they expect that number to rise sharply as conditions worsen. 

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