The food Crisis in Pakistan.....Lasting consequences of Flood

Floods, earthquakes and rains are all natural disasters.  We cannot control it but our country is not only enduring these calamities but also with the after effects of the worst floods of Pakistan’s history which destroyed the crops, irrigation and transportation system in all provinces. In result Pakistan will be facing the biggest food crises in upcoming years as well as millions of people are shelter less, in need of emergency food and basic necessities.

Experts warn that the food crisis would blow-up into a long-term problem if farmers can't get the seeds, draft animals and irrigation repairs they need for the fall planting of wheat, the nation's most important crop.   Government of Pakistan declares an estimate of 23% of current crops destroyed due to floods.  Stored wheat saved for food stocks and further seedling has rotted and wasted because poor farmers didn’t have the resources to keep it dry.  The landlords blow up the small barrages and dig holes to prevent their land and flood the lands and crops of those unfortunate who didn’t have access to resources. Many of those brutal and vicious landowners are associated with the Government but no further actions were taken.

Pakistan, previously heavily reliant on agriculture, is now experiencing severe shortages in food and clean water. Such far flung shortages are leading to malnutrition, especially in children. Martin Mogwanja, UN humanitarian coordinator said, “If nothing is done, an estimated 72,000 children, currently affected by severe malnutrition in the flood-affected areas, are at high risk of death.”

“Even before the floods, in Pakistan, a nation of 175 million people, 77 million were hungry, 45 million malnourished and 36 percent of the population was below the poverty line,” according to a new book on Pakistan's food problems published by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

It will take decades to mend and bring back the economics of Pakistan where it was standing and the time will only heal if we stand up as a nation.  May God gives us strength to overcome the loss.