Pakistan floods ‘affect 20 million’

Al Jazeera, Aug 14, 2010

At least 20 million people have now been affected by heavy flooding across Pakistan, the country’s prime minister has announced, calling the disaster the nation’s “worst-ever calamity”.

Yousuf Raza Gilani urged Pakistanis on Saturday to “join hands” to help deal with the crisis, which has left more than 1,600 people dead across the country.

“This natural disaster has brought a huge devastation and approximately 20 million people have been affected by it,” he said in a sombre address marking Pakistan’s independence from British colonial rule 63 years ago.

“[It] destroyed standing crops and food storages worth billions of dollars, causing colossal loss to the national economy.

“Therefore, despite all out efforts by the government, all available aid seems to be inadequate. I would appeal to the world community to extend a helping hand to fight this calamity.”

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