Flood victims demand help

Pakistan's floods have put 3.5 million children at risk of obtaining water-borne diseases such as cholera and dysentery. The flood spreads from Sindh to Balochistan, and previous fears of continued flooding have been confirmed at the monsoon rains continue to add further havoc to the waters.

Apart from the issue of a possible epidemic spreading throughout the country, authorities are also worried about the possibility that the lack of aid being provided for flood victims could leave Pakistan's government in shambles. Still further, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmoud Qureshi admitted in an interview that a fear he has is that the disgruntled flood victims will form alliances with the extremists.

Qureshi assures that the troops that had been fighting insurgents had not been redeployed, and that they would continue to fight in their positions. More troops had been stationed in Southern Pakistan to prevent any foul play.

The US has donated about $70 million to the flood victims, and Pakistan has received aid from the UN, as well. However, officials explain that one fifth of the country has been ruined and that more aid is needed. At least 1,500 people have died and 20 million have been affected.

In his interview, Foreign Minister Qureshi emphasized that Pakistan needs help.