Keeping the flood response issue alive

Caught unprepared, the authorities are still busy fire fighting, much like last year. It is feared that the per capita losses resulting from recent floods are beyond those of the great floods of 2010. The damages and disruptions are mind-blowing. According to NDMA, as of September 27, 2011, flood waters have wreaked havoc over 6.7 million acres in more than 39,000 villages across Sindh; affecting 8.9 million people, killing 431 people and injuring 755, destroying 2.1 million acres of standing crops, and damaging 1.5 million houses. Negligence on the part of the concerned authorities notwithstanding; such devastations should have evoked the philanthropic tendencies across Pakistan and abroad. However, the combination of donor-fatigue and Pakistan-fatigue resulted in half-hearted flood relief efforts, leaving a lot to be desired. Initially, the government and political leadership of various parties got involved, and launched their flood relief efforts. However, that spirit withered out recently as the political scene is over-heating following scathing and unprecedented public allegations by the US against the ISI. One does not witness zeal and enthusiasm in the public resource mobilisation campaigns from local philanthropic organisations either; the likes of which were observed in response to the 2010 floods. No major initiatives from the private sector have thus far been launched or publicised. Most broadcasters seem to be preoccupied with other lazing current affairs, giving less coverage to the humanitarian crisis. The concerned authorities, the NDMA and PDMA-Sindh, can only manoeuvre within the resources put at their disposal. An absence of an organised disaster response force creates coordination issues and duplicates efforts, leading to slow response and resource waste. Unfortunately, Pakistan finds itself in the international spotlight for all the wrong reasons, again, as the countrys leadership is currently battling a credibility crisis in the West. This could hurt the overseas assistance meant for post-flood relief and rehabilitation activities in many ways. Firstly, the portrayal of Pakistan as a culprit in the escalation of violence in Afghanistan affects the prospects of international humanitarian assistance to the country unfavourably. Secondly, it appears that naïve notions and chauvinistic suggestions of the Pakistan-US standoff turning into a full-blown war have shifted attention of the authorities and the general public away from the plight of their deluged countrymen. Meanwhile, the international scenario is also presenting a dismal outlook. Over ten days have passed since the launch of the $356.7 million rapid response flash appeal launched by United Nations, but it remains largely unfunded as only about 6 percent of the needed amount has been pledged so far. Most of the funding is for immediate needs, like food, water & sanitation, and health. Though very small compared to size of the appeal, this year too, Japan and United States are leading the international response so far. Slowly pouring in, there are no surprises on the bilateral assistance front either. News reports suggest that China supplied relief goods worth $4.7 million and its Red Cross Society donated $50,000. Pledges and commitments include $100 million in reconstruction aid from Iran, €10 million from the European Commission, and $200,000 from South Korea. By no means is it implied here that threats to national security be taken lightly; rather, attention should be simultaneously refocused towards alleviating the suffering of the flood-affectees. In this regard, expectations of foreign aid should be rationalised, and the authorities must take ownership of the resource mobilisation efforts as well. Authorities must reset their near-term priorities, create fiscal space and earmark sufficient funds to manage the crisis from the countrys own resources. Public figures and celebrities must play their due role, and use their fame for this humanitarian cause. The flood relief issue must be kept alive. Putting it on the backburner would be disastrous for the uplift of the marooned people, for urgency of action and feelings of sympathy both decrease with the passage of time.

================================================================
UN Flash appeals for Pakistan floods
================================================================
($ mn)                   Floods Relief & Early    Pakistan Rapid
                          Recovery Response        Response Plan
                             Plan, 2010            Floods, 2011*
================================================================
Duration               Aug 2010 - Jul 2011   Sep 2011 - Mar 2012
================================================================
Funding requirements         $1,963.4                     $356.7
Funded amount **             $1,374.3                      $19.9
Unmet requirements                 30%                       94%
Major donors                 US (31.6%)              Japan (45%)
(as % of funded amt)        Japan (18%)                 US (40%)
                              UK (8.4%)          Australia (13%)
                           Private (8%)            Sweden (1.6%)
================================================================

* Ongoing appeal ** Funding = Contributions + Commitments Source: Financial Tracking Service, UN OCHA (figures as of Sep. 28, 2011)