The scale of the humanitarian disaster caused by the Pakistan floods is only just becoming clear. The latest estimates are that over 3 million people are affected. This includes around 1500 confirmed dead and more the 27,000 who are still trapped by te raging flood waters. Caused by Cyclone Yemyin, the scenes across Pakistan are truly shocking. Take a look at thiis short video clip:

Because of the scale of the disaster the response of the Pakistani government has come under criticism for not being enough. A lot of problems have been caused by the washing away of infrastructure such as roads and bridges meaning that it is very difficult to get help where it is needed. Other national governments have pledged help. These include China, the USA and the UK.

It is clear that whatever government bodies do, it is unlikely to meet the needs of the millions of Pakistanis who have had their worlds turned upside down. The sheer area that is affected means that non-governmental aid organisations are going to be essential in providing essentials such as drinking water to those who need it.

This is the worst flooding in living memory and it’s likely to get worse as rivers and dams reach dangerous levels. Whole villages have been swept away and villages south of the devastated area in Sindh may be hit in the coming days.

Huge swathes of the country are under an ocean of contaminated water. The risk of water-borne disease is high if we do not act fast. We are going to be providing hundreds of thousands of people with clean water and building emergency toilets. We are moving fast with supplies we had ready for such an emergency in-country.”Neva Khan, Oxfam’s Pakistan Director

Oxfam have a long history of working in Pakistan, so they could be a good choice for people who want to do their bit and make Pakistan flood donations. What is good about Oxfam is that they are being upfront with just what donations will be paying for:

£12 will buy one family hygiene kit (soap, washing powder, sanitary cloths, towels, oral rehydration salts, nail cutter/comb

£14 will buy one family household kit (plastic bucket, water cooler, floor mats, waste bin, shawls, water purification)

£46 will buy tools for clearing up (shovel, pick axe, bucket, broom, wheel barrow)”