Heavy monsoon rains combined with melting glaciers covered one-third of Pakistan in massive flood. Water levels at Pakistan's largest freshwater lake remain dangerously high despite efforts to release water and spare nearby cities from further flooding. It is the latest challenge faced by officials as the country grapples with an escalating disaster. The Pakistan's National Flood Response Coordination Centre (NFRCC) has reported the number of deaths since mid-June reached 1,325 as of Monday (Sept 5), with more than 12,000 injured with the death toll is expected to rise.
According to CNN News, at least 33 million people have been affected by the flooding -- around 15% of the country's population -- according to government officials and aid organizations, several areas -- particularly the southern provinces of Sindh and Baluchistan -- have seen five times their normal levels of monsoonal rain. On Sunday, officials attempted to release water from Lake Manchar, in Sindh province, into nearby districts of Jaffarabad and Bubak, home to around 100,000 people, according to Jamal Mangan, Pakistan's Irrigation Special Secretary.
The World Zakat and Waqf Forum recognizes this natural disaster and calls upon all parties, and in particular, the World Zakat and Waqf Forum member countries, to stand together to deliver emergency aid and humanitarian assistance to those affected by the flood in Pakistan. Zakat, Infaq, Waqf and Sadaqah is meant to alleviate poverty and create social welfare, thus a global zakat and waqf institution it is urgent for the World Zakat and Waqf Forum to take action and respond to this tragedy. The World Zakat and Waqf Forum calls for all nations across the globe to take action in humanitarian assistance and on provide aid from zakat, infaq, waqf, shadaqah, and other types of donation, to be distributed to the affected areas in Pakistan. In particular, the WZWF states the following:
- Recognizing the World Zakat and Waqf Forum as the main forum at the global level for strategic advice coordination and partnership development for zakat and waqf, and recognizing also the contribution of the members
- Expressing gravest concerns about the humanitarian impacts of and risks posed by the short- and long-term effects of the flash floods which recently occurred in Pakistan, including on the already significant levels of humanitarian and development needs and suffering of people, including those in vulnerable situations and communities and acknowledging the related challenges for disaster preparedness, response and recovery efforts,
- Expressing its deep concern also that rural and urban poor communities in the developing world are the hardest hit by the effects of increased disaster risk,
- Noting with concern that women, persons with disabilities, older persons, children and youth are often disproportionately affected in natural disasters, and stressing the need to ensure that their specific needs are identified and addressed in emergency preparedness and response
- Stressing the need for all relevant actors ensure that such responses are tailored to context, make use of appropriate tools and support local systems, including by building on local expertise and capacities,
- Calls upon all member states to organize and prioritize the distribution of zakat and other Islamic Social Funds to the Country of Pakistan On behalf of the World Zakat and Waqf Forum, we would encourage all members to donate to our Brothers and Sisters in Pakistan. Donations can be made through contacting the following contact persons:
Islamic Economics Project: Dr. Salman Ahmed Shaikh, Director of Islamic Economics Project (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / +923343193395)
Source Photo : https://wfaid.org/pakistan-flood-emergency-2022/ and WZWF