Pakistan Flooding News

A Prince Albert doctor is providing shelter and support to 60 victims in Pakistan where disastrous floods have left more than 20 million people homeless and killed around 1,500 in the past month.

"This is a high-scale disaster," said Dr. Mohammad Hussain. "These people have lost everything in the flood - their homes have been demolished and their belongings swept away."

The 60 victims are being housed in a school in the city of Multan, south of the capital Islamabad, Hussain said. His brother-in-law is co-ordinating the effort, making sure they are given clothing and food.

"Every little bit counts," he said. "We are trying on an individual level to collect money for the victims. Our objective is to look after 100 to 150 people in total," he said, adding he hopes to eventually help the victims rebuild their homes.

Hussain also mentioned that being in the month of Ramadan, helping provide aid in his home country is even more meaningful, since Muslims are required to pay a religious tax called "zaqat" to charitable causes.

Though the Pakistani community in Prince Albert is small, home to around eight or nine families, said Hussain, other people are trying to help.

Ukhasana Ali, 36, a mother of four and medical assistant in Prince Albert, immigrated from Pakistan in December 2004. She said her husband and other families are sending money through Western Union to social workers that are collecting and distributing the aid.

Though Ali said her immediate family in Pakistan is safe, the disaster is unimaginable.

Sikander Javed, 47, who left Pakistan 10 years ago and now lives in Rosthern, said some of his cousins and extended family working as farmers on the banks of the Chenab River have lost their homes to the disaster.

"Their houses have been destroyed, they are filled by one or two feet of water," he said. "We are talking about a whole nation, which is my family too, and people are dying."

The Pakistan Canada Cultural Association in Saskatoon is holding several events to help raise funds for the victims in Pakistan, said vice-president Kasim Shafi.

On Aug. 21 a one-hour program on 90.5 CFCR radio station in Saskatoon, starting at 12:30 p.m., will be dedicated to raising money for the disaster, kiosks will be set up in Saskatoon malls where people can donate and a dinner will be organized for Sept. 17 with all ticket proceeds donated to the effort.

The United Nations reported Sunday more than 20 million people have been left homeless. The Canadian Press reported around 1,500 have been killed by the floods.

Heavy monsoon rains started in Pakistan on July 22, moving from the north to south end of the county killing more than 10,000 livestock and flooding around 700,000 hectares of farmland.

The Canadian government announced on Sunday it is giving $33 million in aid to Pakistan flood victims.

Donations can be made online through the Canadian Red Cross at www.redcross.ca under Pakistan Floods 2010.