Pakistani flood victims
Heavy monsoon rains triggered a devastating flood in Pakistan. More than two thousand people were reportedly killed and there occurred widespread destruction of houses, bridges, schools, roads, railway tracks and communication networks. Outbreak of cholera and other waterborne diseases made the situation even worse. Pakistan government appealed for help from the international community.
Due to one of the complex water management systems in the world and the negligence of the then government, floods and cyclones used to devastate East Pakistan regularly. In the years 1954, 1955, 1956, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1970 and 1971 flood situation was severe in East Pakistan. However, the sufferings of East Pakistani people drew no positive response from the common people of West Pakistan or from the central government in the capital Karachi/ Islamabad. Prior flood/cyclone warnings were deliberately delayed and foreign aid were diverted and utilized in West Pakistan. In the eyes of average West Pakistanis, East Pakistan (Bengal) was associated with flood, famine, unemployment, backwardness, etc. and often people in the West amused themselves by jeering at the people of East, saying 'never-ending Bengal floods' etc.
In 1971 Bangladesh earned independence after a 9-month-long bloody liberation war. Over the years the situation gradually changed. Independent Bangladesh is now better prepared for controlling floods. The country is almost self-sufficient in food and almost all major socio-economic indicators are positive. On the other hand, terrorism, civil war turned Pakistan into a failed state. It is obvious that Pakistan alone cannot cope with the current flood and post-flood situation. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina should send emergency aid for millions of Pak flood victims as a good gesture from Bangladesh.
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