PAKISTAN’S unprecedented floods have wreaked havoc, destroying peoples’ lives, by uprooting them from their homes, destroying their homes and hearth along with their meagre belongings. Many flood victims, including old men, women and children were marooned over house tops and elevated points for days without food and water, barely clutching on the straws of hope for a dramatic rescue. Salvation did come through Pakistan Army, Navy and Air Force but also an unexpected source, the US. Since the US forces were located in Afghanistan, close to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where the deluge first struck they were able to send rescue teams on helicopters directly to the flood affected areas. The United States had a head start over other nations, since its satellites, surveillance drones and other sensors, were monitoring, they commenced a massive humanitarian response in the aftermath of devastating flooding that has struck north-western Pakistan, including a pledge of $ 10 million in aid, which was later enhanced. More US helicopters were flown in to join the massive rescue and relief effort and augment the Pakistan Armed Forces operations in support of its flood struck brethren. The giant Chinooks, flying in relief equipment and transporting the marooned survivors was reminiscent of the 2005 devastating earthquake, which had destroyed Azad Kashmir and portions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, then known as NWFP.
Pakistan’s floods required special equipment. The US rushed helicopters, boats, pre-fabricated bridges, mobile water treatment units and emergency food supplies to meet Pakistan’s growing humanitarian needs. U.S. water filtration units, which are essential to provide fresh water and prevent disease outbreaks, were immediately provided. Giant USAF air transport aircraft comprising C-17 and C-130s began delivering halal meals from U.S. supply depots in the South Asia region. The meals were delivered to Pakistan’s military for distribution in flood-stricken areas. Food and water was also ferried to people still not able to leave the flood areas. The US also rushed inflatable rescue boats that are designed for lightness and speed on rapidly flowing waters. The United States also sent 12 prefabricated steel bridges to be used to temporarily replace highway bridges damaged by flooding in Peshawar and Kurram Agency. All this occurred, while the rest of the world was still absorbing the enormity of the catastrophe that had struck Pakistan. Pakistani media tried to portray the images of Pakistan’s suffering at the hands of the worst calamity in its history. International media was slow to react. While the images of the devastation reached the homes of our international friends, they took their time in coming to the rescue of Pakistan. It was not until the UN Secretary General Ban ki Moon personally visited the flood affected areas in Pakistan and made his now famous comment that Pakistan has been hit by a slow moving Tsunami that aid from other sources started pouring in. While Pakistan’s traditional friends like China, which were themselves the victims of flood and mudslides, caught up on their aid efforts, and even surpassed the US, more U.S. Military Helicopters began to arrive in Pakistan, U.S. Coast Guard Officials visited Pakistan and Secretary Clinton and the Ad Council launched PSAs to support victims of the Pakistan floods. U.S. Enhanced Logistics Operation for flood relief efforts. An impressive aspect was a new U.S. program provided short-term jobs to villagers affected by flooding. The US government established the Joint Aviation Coordination Cell to aid Pakistan flood relief. An important aspect of the US flood relief efforts of the US is that it galvanized the international machinery to come into action. This enabled international donors to come to grips with Pakistan’s predicament and loosen their purse strings and come to Pakistan’s aid. Critics in Pakistan have been pointing out that the US aid to the flood victims was in response to US need of the logistic lines of communication in Pakistan to remain intact for the US efforts in Afghanistan. Whatever be their rationale, it is a fact that the US came good on its pledge to help the people of Pakistan during the floods of biblical proportions and who are we to look a gift horse in the mouth?
