The annual monsoon season in Pakistan typically results in some infrastructure damage and a handful of lost lives. However, in the past three months citizens have seen practically nonstop rain, putting much of the country’s farmland underwater and contributing to fears of food shortages in what is predicted to be the most destructive monsoon season in the country’s history. Thus far the death toll has climbed over 1,100 people, and is feared to be much higher, as many of the hardest struck regions are difficult to navigate, even without the flooding.
Abrar ul Haq, chairman of the Pakistan Red Crescent, said that the combination of flooding and high temperatures meant the “worst is yet to come” as conditions are perfect for the spread of waterborne diseases. Ahsan Iqbal, the planning minister of Pakistan, said he estimated damages to exceed $10 billion and that it will take the better part of a decade for the nation to rebuild. That’s assuming they’re not hit with another record rainfall next monsoon season.
“The floods are devastating, yes, and affect a lot of people in a short amount of time, but drought, food security, inflation — these are climate-related disasters that are playing out broadly, before, during and after these floods.”
-Jumaina Siddiqui, senior program officer for South Asia at the US Institute for Peace
The response from organizations like the United Nations has been inadequate at best, as the UN today launched an appeal for $160 million in emergency funds for Pakistan. Putting that dollar figure in perspective, let’s recall how many billions (with a B) Biden has authorized to send to Ukraine in weapons and munitions.
Side Items
Raggedy ass skeleton Joe Biden announced he’ll be giving a prime time address on the “Battle for the Soul of the Nation” on Thursday. Honestly, I think I speak for everyone when I say keep it Joseph, this nation lost its battles long ago
Mississippi governor Tate Reeves went on TV yesterday to inform the ~180,000 residents of Jackson, the state capital, that their water is not safe to drink. Jackson as a city has a majority black population, and this week they were informed that their largest water treatment plant was failing. State officials warned that whatever water is flowing from faucets is not safe to consume, as it is likely untreated water coming straight from the city’s reservoir…sick
NASA was forced to scrub the lunar launch yesterday (sorry Charlie) as a result of problems encountered cooling one of the space craft’s engines. No word on an updated launch date, as scientists in lab coats scurry from one computer monitor to another checking diagnostics
Three Dutch soldiers were shot in Indianapolis last week, with one eventually succumbing to his injuries, but what exactly were the soldiers doing stateside? Turns out they had been training at a military camp in southern Indiana that offers highly specialized urban combat simulations. I’m not usually one to joke about a life lost, but the irony of traveling to this country to train in urban combat situations only to then be killed in an urban combat situation is some kinda poetic