Words by Natasha Hemraze
Whilst we have been enjoying the heatwave, we seem to have ignored the fact that 30+ degree heat is completely abnormal – and the aftermath of what we aren’t doing.
Pakistan has witnessed a dramatic increase in rainfall and monsoons at the hands of climate change. There has been flooding in around a third of the country, with homes washed away, schools damaged and more than 1,300 people are dead – a third of whom are children. What’s more, crops, livestock, and other major infrastructures like roads and bridges have been ravaged. Sherry Rehman who, a journalist and diplomat said that, “Global warming is the existential crisis facing the world and Pakistan is ground zero.” The irony is that Pakistan contributes less than one per cent to global greenhouse gas emissions, and yet is the eighth most vulnerable country exposed to climate change.
It has been dubbed a “superflood”, or a “monster monsoon” wreaking havoc across the nation with eight weeks of non-stop downpour, affecting around 33 million people in each province. Some towns have been receiving 500-700% more rain than normal this August. Subsequently, 90% of crops are ruined and entire villages and agricultural fields have been swept away.
Currently, Pakistan is struggling to stop its largest lake from overflowing. It is surrounded by rural towns and villages, 400 of which have been destroyed, affecting 135,000 people. Over 100,000 people have been displaced and many are trying to make it to higher ground before there is another breach.
Rehman stated that: “You can’t walk away from the reality that big corporations have net profits bigger than the GDP of many countries [and] need to take responsibility”. Again, capitalism remains both the curse and the solution to Pakistan’s suffering – though the latter seems improbable given that large corporations and wealthier countries have historically done a great injustice to nations alike. The country has been made a dump for carbon emissions, inheriting every by-product of unsustainable corporations.
Doctor Saeed voiced that the floods are “absolutely a wake-up call” to governments who promised to tackle climate change. The human consequences have been immeasurable and several are now subjected to malnutrition and water-borne diseases. Cases of malaria and cholera have increased and diarrhoea cases increased to 90,000 in 24 hours – victims have had no choice but to drink the polluted water that wrecked their homes. They are living on the banks of overflooded canals and rivers, under trees and in make-shift tents. There are also 650,000 pregnant women, 73,000 of whom are meant to give birth in the next month. Healthcare facilities have been destroyed, meaning that there is no adequate access to equipment for anyone. Young girls and women menstruating have also had no access to sanitary towels, making menstrual hygiene significantly worse.
Rimmel Mohydin also acknowledged the fact that “marginalised groups, such as people living in poverty are bound to be much worse off.” Those from impoverished communities were drastically affected by the flood. Men, women and children have had their homes washed away. It feels as though those who are at the bottom have been left to suffocate and drown, with little done to protect their livelihoods.
Flooding has caused more than $10 billion (£8.7 billion) worth of damages. In response, the United Nations and Pakistan have jointly issued an appeal for $160 million in emergency funding, also establishing a National Flood Response and coordination centre.
Alot of countries (who are probably to blame), have contributed to help Pakistan. France sent medicine, pumps to reduce water levels and a team of doctors and experts. The United States said they will send $30 million worth of aid and the UK has raised £13.5 million since last Thursday.Countries like Turkey, the UAE, China, Qatar and more are reaching out and sending what they can. And yet – no one paid any acknowledgement to the havoc they have caused.
Despite this sudden wave of solidarity, monetary funding could not possibly compensate the country for the destruction and devastation wealthy countries have caused. The immense amount of pollution to the earth and air has not only affected the country’s present population but will continue to have generational consequences if these countries don’t step up.
This is among the worst disasters Pakistan has ever faced. Though millions are struggling, many remain hopeful that their government and the wealthy countries that have placed them in this situation are doing something to protect them.
So – it’s time to stop ignoring the effects of climate change and do a bit more than drinking iced soy sugar-free lattes through metal straws.
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