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Famine is severe shortage of food mainly because of crops failure resulting in

violent hunger, starvation and death which Pakistan is currently facing as a result
of floods where the whole agriculture is badly affected. These floods are caused by
excessive rain and hot climate which dried out the glaciers as a result we are facing
severe floods which Pakistan have not suffered before. India¶s sudden release of
water into the rivers was also a cause of floods that have devastated a large number
of villages in the countryÊ The 2010 Pakistan floods began in July 2010 following
heavy monsoon rains in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Punjab and Baluchistan
regions of Pakistan. Present estimates indicate that over two thousand people have
died and over a million homes have been destroyed since the flooding began. The
United Nations estimates that more than 21 million people are injured or homeless
as a result of the flooding, exceeding the combined total of individuals

 

People are dying of hunger as all mainly people in rural areas are depended on
their crops which are now destroyed along with their homes thousands have
become homeless and their crops are destroyed now people are having very tough
time. The culture of Pakistan is that the whole family is depended on a single
individual as it¶s a male dominant society. Many people died as a result of flood
leaving thousands of families unsupported which is considered to be one the main
reason for famine. Many of the people living in rural areas are depended on their
crops for their food which land is now destroyed leaving many families left with
nothing and they are suffering and dying from hunger which itself is amongst the
characteristic of famine.

The floods have killed about 1500 people and inundated 700,000 hectares of
wheat, sugar cane and rice. Food prices have risen sharply which further makes not
possible for people of rural area to fifth their basic needs as the average per capita
income of Pakistan before the foods were $1029 which itself has fallen making it
impossible the survival of affected people impossible.

Floods have submerged 17 million acres (69,000 km2) of Pakistan's most fertile
crop land, have killed 200,000 herd of livestock and have washed away massive
amounts of grain. A major concern is that farmers will be unable to meet the fall
deadline for planting new seeds in 2010, which implies a massive loss of food
production in 2011, and potential long term food shortages. The agricultural
damages are more than 2.9 billion dollars, according to recent estimates, and
include over 700,000 acres (2,800 km2) of lost cotton crops, 200,000 acres (810
km2) of sugar cane and 200,000 acres (810 km2) of rice, in addition to the loss of
over 500,000 tonnes of stocked wheat, 300,000 acres (1,200 km2) of animal fodder
and the stored grain losses.

Agricultural crops such as cotton, rice, and sugarcane and to some extent mangoes
were badly affected in Punjab.In affected Multan Division in South Punjab, some
people were seen to be engaging in profit-taking in this disaster, raising their prices
up to Rs 130/kg. Some have called for Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited to write off all
agricultural loans in the affected areas in Punjab, Sindh and Khyber Pukhtunkhwa
especially for small farmers.

On 24 September World Food Program announced that about 70% of Pakistan's

population does not have adequate access to proper nutrition. Most of this
population with less than adequate nutrition lives in rural areas of the country.

Floods have damaged an estimated 2,433 miles of highway and 3,508 miles (5,646
km) of railway. Cost estimates for highway damages are approximately 158
million USD, and railway damages are 131 million USD. Any unique or
particularly large infrastructure damages will increase these estimates.Public
building damages are estimated at 1 billion USD. Aid donors have presented an
estimate that 5,000 schools have been destroyed.


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The above figures show that these floods have almost affected the whole Pakistan
and many people are dying of hunger which shows we are facing the most terrible
famine. The affected people were helped by not affected during Ramadan. They
government should take these measures to help the victims:-

VÊ As soon as appropriate the affected with families return to the sites of their
abodes. They should be helped with whatever means possible from the
nearest area to have a temporary overhead cover. Food for six months and
other essentials to survive also be provided to them. Agriculturist to be
provided all inputs to grow the earliest possible crop. It is vital for survival,
peace and security.

VÊ Considering the losses from north to south affecting every province by the
flood the number of affected could be close to 30m. With an average family
of 6 the housing units of all sizes will be 6m. A compensation of Rs100, 000
at the minimum will be Rs 6bn. In most cases there will total loss of houses.
There may some repairable. That adjudication should be done there in
presence of local people. The amount needed for this purpose should be
diverted from the development budgets of the provinces and augmented by
the centre. The compensation promised for those who died and injured by
various Leaders will have to be added for the families concerned.

The year 2011 is considered to be the year of famine as thousands have died of
hunger people don¶t have anything to eat. The victims have become depended on
aid and they are left with nothing. The year 2011 is considered to be the most
disastrous year as our economy itself was facing a very bad time followed by this
flood which risen numerous problem for Pakistan.