Pakistan floods: Storms ground US supply helicopters

[Turborama]

Source: The Guardian

Storms grounded helicopters carrying supplies to Pakistan's flood-ravaged north-west today as authorities said 12 million people had been affected in the country's worst-ever floods.

US military personnel waiting to fly to stranded communities in the upper reaches of the Swat valley were frustrated by the storms, which dumped more rain on a region where thousands are living in tents or crammed into public buildings.

=snip=

Thirty thousand Pakistani soldiers are rebuilding bridges, delivering food, and setting up relief camps in the north-west, a battleground in the fight against al-Qaida and the Taliban. Foreign countries and the UN have donated millions of dollars.

=snip=

Also helping the relief effort are Islamist charities including the Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation, which western officials say is linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, the group blamed for the 2008 Mumbai attacks. The charity's head, Hafiz Abdur Rauf, said the assistance of the US army was welcome.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/aug/06/pakistan-floods-storms-supply-helicopters

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A family huddles on the roof of a mosque in the town of Sanawa,
Punjab province, as they await rescue from the floodwaters.
Photograph: Reuters

[Soylent Brice]

1. that picture

New Orleans-esque. :(
anyone have recommendations on where to donate, if it's not already been posted here?

K&R

[Turborama]

2. This picture is one of the most powerful ones I've seen so far, too...

Onlookers perched on a damaged bridge watch a Pakistani flood survivor
climb a rope to cross the river in Chakdara
Photograph: Strdel/AFP/Getty Images

As far as donating is concerned, Save the Children are a worthwhile charity and have a fundraising campaign going on: http://www.savethechildren.org/emergencies/asia/pakistan-floods-2010/

[Soylent Brice]

3. thank you for the link.

Unreal.

[OhioChick]

4. Speechless K&R n/t