This summer’s monsoon season in Pakistan has dropped three to six times the normal seasonal rainfall on much of the country, causing flooding that has displaced 33 million people. MCIC members are joining relief efforts in the country, as part of an international humanitarian response to the crisis. Many are accepting donations to support their work in Pakistan.
Twelve MCIC member organizations are involved in providing humanitarian assistance in Pakistan.
Satellite photos show the extent of the flooding, caused by unprecedented rainfall and glacial runoff from record high temperatures. Pakistan’s climate minister has described the combination as a “climate catastrophe” and United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has warned this type of disaster could become more common without serious climate action. "Let's stop sleepwalking toward the destruction of our planet by climate change. Today, it's Pakistan. Tomorrow, it could be your country" he said, calling for $160 million in emergency aid from the international community. The Government of Canada has pledged $5 million in disaster relief funding.
Manitobans are no strangers to the destruction flooding can cause, as this spring’s flooding caused damage throughout the Red River Valley and shut down highways and roads. Manitoba’s flooding was caused by snow and rainfall nearly double the seasonal average. In Pakistan, some areas have experienced six times the seasonal average rainfall this summer.
The Pakistani community of Manitoba is working to support the response, raising funds and awareness of the disaster. Business leader Hammad Khan hopes to replicate their response to flooding in 2010. The Government of Manitoba helped MCIC provide $200,000 to its members responding to the 2010 floods.