PAKISTAN: Thousands left homeless by Pakistan floods flock to military-run relief camps

Record ID: 346006

  • Title: PAKISTAN: Thousands left homeless by Pakistan floods flock to military-run relief camps
  • Date: 12th August 2010
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF ARMY DOCTORS CHECKING PATIENTS
  • Embargoed: 27th August 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Pakistan
  • Country: Pakistan
  • Topics: Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes,Defence / Military
  • Reuters ID: LVADWX5EZIVEH4IKWD6U4UXW3H32
  • Story Text: The Sultan Colony camp for flood victims is a vast cluster of tents in the scorching desert of southern Punjab.
    The camp, which has sprung up in the wake of Pakistan's worst floods, is one of the 11 relief camps that the army has set up to house thousands of flood survivors whose homes have been swept away by the deluge.
    The deadly torrents, raging across the country, from northern Pakistan to the south, have wiped out thousands of villages and killed around 1,600 people.
    Over two million people were left homeless.
    Thousands of flood victims have made it to Sultan Colony camp, along with their cows, goats and chickens.
    Colonel Muneer Ahmed, in charge of the temporary shelter, says his men are racing to enlarge the camp as more and more survivors flock in.
    "The number of (flood) victims with us is almost 6,000 now, but more people are still coming in. We are anticipating that the strength could go up to 10,000," Colonel Ahmed told a Reuters cameraman who visited the camp on Wednesday (August 11).
    Families sat inside neat rows of tents as soldiers set up demarcations around the colony.
    Children played near wooden carts that had carried many of the families out to the jaws of the deadly waters.
    A goat, tethered to a cart, munched on a bunch of leaves that a soldier had dropped in front of it.
    Hafiz Ghulam Yasin, sitting in his tent with the women of his family, said his village was made up of 200 families and most had resisted leaving their homes until the village was half submerged.
    When they fled in panic, many had to leave behind their belongings and their precious cattle.
    None of the local politicians, parliamentarians or bureaucrats of the area came to their rescue, Yasin said.
    "When we arrived here, by the grace of Allah, the Pakistan army really cooperated with us. They are still assisting us a great deal. We salute the Pakistan army. I believe that if the Pakistan army is not around, my country Pakistan will cease to exist," Yasin said.
    According to a statement from the military, 70,000 flood-affected people are being provided assistance in the relief camps established by the Pakistan Army.
    The military has taken the lead in relief efforts while the government is under fire for a perceived sluggish response.
    While the crisis has reinforced the faith Pakistanis have in the ability of their military, analysts say the armed forces would not try to take over the country, as they have vowed to stay out of politics and are busy fighting militants.
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