Angelina Jolie arrives in Pakistan to support victims of mega-flood
Dādu, Pakistan - Angelina Jolie arrived in Pakistan on Tuesday in a show of support for the more than 33 million people affected by catastrophic floods.
Jolie will visit water-ravaged areas and highlight the need for urgent support as well as long-term solutions to address the multiplying crises of climate change, the International Rescue Committee said in a statement.
A video showing Jolie at a Pakistani airport went viral on social media soon after she landed and the news was also aired by local media.
Previously, she had also visited victims of the 2010 floods and 2005 earthquake in Pakistan.
Earlier, the government appealed to the nation for generous donations, saying it lacked resources to deal with such a big disaster.
"Let’s turn this calamity into an opportunity," Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal, who also heads National Flood Response Coordination Center (NFRCC), said at a press conference.
International community fails to step up
The appeal was made after the country received a depressingly disinterested response from international community. This is despite that emissions from rich Western countries, the US chief among them, are overwhelmingly responsible for the climate changes that make such disasters more likely and frequent.
The UN launched a flash appeal of $160 million to help Pakistan tackle devastating floods that have killed more than 1,500 people including over 550 children so far.
According to the United Nations Population Fund, around 650,000 pregnant women in the flood-hit areas need maternal health services.
Up to 73,000 women are expected to deliver next month will need skilled birth attendants, newborn care and support.
At least 318 deaths have been caused by dengue fever, malaria, cholera, diarrhea, and skin infections, according to official data.
Cover photo: via REUTERS