Is the flood over in Pakistan?

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Is the flood over in Pakistan? No. Most certainly not! Notwithstanding the Herculean massive relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction operations carried out by the government and people of Pakistan, floodgates of devastation in the wake of worst ever natural disaster in recent times continue to claim lives in scores due to outbreak of epidemics, lack of health facilities, shortage of food, shelter and clothing.

How horrendous life has been after the deluge is unfortunately fading away from the focus of international media. No doubt media have more spicy things to go after such as WikiLeaks, it must not ignore what Pakistan continues to waddle through the aftermath of a natural calamity described by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon as slow Tsunami, six times bigger than any other catastrophe in the last fifty years. The flood sweeping through northern tip of Pakistan to Sindh has affected land mass to the size of England uprooting more than 20 million people.

Flood water has not yet receded in many areas. According to recent reports following the visit of European Union delegation to Pakistan stagnant water may take months to dry particularly in Sindh where due to geographical factors the water will stay longer. Dislocated victims put up in tented settlements, lack of infrastructure and no means of livelihood have compounded their sufferings.

Reconstruction work is on full swing - thanks to domestic and international agencies. As a resilient nation Pakistanis are doing their best to get back on their feet. No doubt there are gigantic challenges ahead but these floods have opened new venues of opportunities to everyone whether within Pakistan or abroad.

Although assessment is being made of infra structure losses there are estimates that nearly 700 kilometres of roads, 35 bridge, 2000 schools and 1.6 million houses are destroyed that certainly offers an enormous scope of investment and cooperation as well goodwill to gain of the people by their help. Pakistan's hour of adversity offers a potential of playing a positive role in rebuilding its national economy to add to its sinews to more effectively fight terrorism. Construction of 1.6 million houses alone offers a big business opportunity.

The Government of 'Pakistan's Flood Relief And Early Recovery Plan 2010' launched in collaboration with the United Nations for extending the relief phase for realizing the goal of a sustainable, meaningful and productive recovery of the flood affected areas is a way forward. 397 projects have been approved in the fields of agriculture, community restoration, coordination and support, education and food security bringing the revised appeal to $1,938,207,278. For the approval and execution of projects the government has put in place effective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.

Construction and reconstruction always generate employment. "Dig a hole fill a hole" was Roosevelt's policy to combat unemployment and affects of great depression of 1930s in the United States. The construction sector has multiplier impact that lead to employment and production opportunities generate multifaceted economic openings.

Pakistan today is open for reconstruction. These immense opportunities cannot be overlooked for investing in construction of housing colonies, schools and hospitals as well as building roads and bridges.

Innovative methods are being adopted in many countries to take full advantage of the advancement in technologies in construction. Pakistan offers a chance for sharing these experiences more than ever before. It is easy to introduce resource efficient methods of farming and livestock. Dairy farming and livestock, once thriving businesses, have been completely washed away making room for methods new to venture.

Climate change and environmental factors are other areas where more cooperation in conducting researches for the benefit of humankind can be carried out. A recent report by American-run Refugees International estimates that as many as 200 million people will be displaced by natural disasters and climate change around the world by 2050, affecting world's poorest and most crisis-prone countries. The report advises that countries around the world must recognize the threat represented by the massive floods that hit Pakistan.

According to Michel Gabaudan, President of Refugees International, "The massive flooding in Pakistan is a wake-up call that starkly highlights the real threats we face from climate-related disasters." The study describes it as an opportunity for planning for protection against future disasters. A lot has been mentioned on the mismanagement of irrigation system in Pakistan. This is yet another area that needs urgent attention where many countries could come forward with scientific and technical cooperation.

The opportunities Pakistan offers today are immense but the time is the essence. We will have to start attracting investment now. Once the people go back to the rut and start living in quick-fix shanties again without adopting necessary and quality changes, the chance to bring about a revolutionary change in living will be lost for ever.