The metrics of devastation in Pakistan are hard to comprehend: Four million Pakistanis have been left homeless by floods. Eight million are dependent upon aid for survival. A fifth of the nation’s territory is deluged, and 1.6 million acres of crops have been ruined.
An advanced country would have trouble dealing with such a crisis, but Pakistan, mired in poverty and beset by a weak central government, insurgency and terrorism, is teetering on the edge.
The most dangerous place on earth, as it is often called, has gotten more perilous. The rest of the world must step up and do more to help Pakistan. Where is the international, Haiti-like response?
Not only is it the right thing to do in the wake of a humanitarian crisis of this magnitude, but it is in the interests of many nations, including the U.S., to ensure this nuclear- armed country doesn’t fall under the sway of terrorists. A full-on response of humanitarian aid would make for a compelling appeal to the hearts and minds of the Pakistani people.
If there is not a massive infusion of aid, devastated and isolated segments of the country likely will be overcome by the Pakistani Taliban and other radical groups.
Make no mistake, these groups know full well the advantage they can gain by offering aid to desperate people. It is exactly what happened in 2005 when a Pakistan-controlled part of Kashmir suffered a devastating earthquake in which 75,000 people died.
Thus far, Pakistan’s rickety central government has been inept in its response to this disaster and flood victims have become increasingly terrified and angry.
The country is a powder keg waiting to blow, and the situation is only expected to worsen as the rains continue and disease claims an increasing number of lives.
The United Nations has been on an emergency campaign to raise $460 million for initial help, but so far the world’s response has been slow. Last week, the U.N. called an emergency session intended to draw attention to the crisis and press countries into promising aid.
The U.S. took the lead, upping its pledge of $90 million in aid to $150 million. Other countries must increase their pledges, and keep them.
In an op-ed piece published last week in the International Herald Tribune, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon described the scene he saw in Pakistan, and urged the international community to act.
“We simply cannot stand by and let this natural disaster turn into a man-made catastrophe,” he wrote. “Let us stand with the people of Pakistan every step of the long and difficult road ahead.”
In this time of economic distress, some countries may find it tough to make big aid commitments. And Pakistan’s checkered record in fighting terrorists may have created ill will.
But make no mistake, not acting is the far worse alternative. At this juncture, a relatively small amount of aid could make a big difference.
