Telegraph headline: floods: disaster is the worst in the UN's history - The United Nations has rated the floods in as the greatest humanitarian crisis in recent history with more people affected than the South-East Asian tsunami and the recent earthquakes in Kashmir and combined.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/pakistan/7935485/Pakistan-floods-disaster-is-the-worst-in-the-UNs-history.html

Yes, it’s another year and yet another disaster in a poor far flung godforsaken corner of the world.  And in these tough times we are all charity fatigued, I know I am.

But given that I have lived in the city of for 12 years (middle right on the map) and have family all over the country, with the waters heading south it becomes more and more personal and real.

With up to 14 MILLION people effected (twice the whole population of Greater London), this disaster certainly cannot be ignored.  Thousands are dead and as the heaviest rainfalls on record continue to fall, the risk of disease looks to multiply the death toll. 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-10922609

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00thd93/DEC_Pakistan_Flood_Appeal/

I am sure most of you generous folks have already given monies but a smidgen more could actually save someone's life.  Surely knowing that someone out there is safe and alive thanks to you is satisfaction enough.  However if it will be easier to give money if I trek the in pink spandex and a tutu or something then I welcome the ideas.

The monies raised here will go directly to the Disasters Emergency Committee who coordinate a panel of 13 humanitarian agencies directing monies to the most effective charities on the ground.  The monies will go to providing immediate shelter, rescue, food and water for the effected, rebuilding comes later:

http://www.dec.org.uk/

Hope you contribute.  And if you do so, please show your name.  This will allow me to thank you personally but also encourage people around you to give more.

DON’T MAKE ME COME AROUND IN PINK SPANDEX AND A TUTU TO ASK FOR MONEY.  TRUST ME IT’S NOT A PRETTY SIGHT BUT I WILL IF I HAVE TO.

Best wishes

Asim

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