Dear Friends,

A humanitarian catastrophe of terrifying proportions is unfolding in Pakistan, with a fifth of the country under water, and millions of people homeless and desperately needing assistance.

Some relief efforts are underway, but the international response to the mega-disaster has been irresponsibly slow and weak -- the UN has urgently appealed for $460 million of vital aid, but just 40% has been delivered.

Relief workers warn that without an immediate increase in aid the death toll could sky-rocket. We can help by sending funds directly to the most reliable aid organizations, and by pressing our governments to step up their efforts. Let's show our leaders what generosity looks like, and demand that they join us. Click here to send a personal message to key donor governments:

https://secure.avaaz.org/en/pakistan_needs_relief/?vl

And click here to donate to the relief effort:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/pakistan_relief_fund/?cl=709709188&v=6970

After visiting the flood stricken areas, a visibly upset UN General Secretary, Ban Ki Moon, said “This has been a heart-wrenching day for me. In the past, I have visited many natural disasters, but I have never seen anything like this.”

Thousands of towns and villages have been washed away -- roads, buildings, bridges, crops. Now people are stranded on tiny islands surrounded by flood waters. With no clean water to drink, cholera, diarrhea and other sicknesses are on the rise, threatening the millions of people who have lost their homes and livelihoods.

The international response so far has not matched that of previous large scale disasters. Organisations like UNICEF and WHO have said they lack the funds to provide adequate assistance.

The governments of the world need to do more, and we can lead by example. Let’s stand with Pakistan at this time of crisis, and ask important donor governments to do the same.

Click here to donate:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/pakistan_relief_fund/?cl=709709188&v=6970

Click here to send a message:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/pakistan_needs_relief/?vl

Our community has risen to the challenge of awful disasters before. In 2008, Avaaz members raised over 2 million dollars for the victims of Cyclone Nargis in Burma. Earlier this year, $1.4 million was raised for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Our ability to move quickly in times of crisis can make the difference between life or death for people struggling to cope with disaster. Let’s show the people of Pakistan that people and governments around the world stand with them in this awful crisis.

With hope,

Luis, Iain, Mia, Ricken, Paul, Giulia, Ben, David, Graziela, Pascal, Milena and the rest of the Avaaz team

More information:

UN Chief’s heart wrenching appeal for Pakistan flood victims:
http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100816/FOREIGN/708159834/1103

Pakistan floods fail to spark strong global aid:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jX_KetVCMo64AOZxSMudPWArFrJgD9HIRUJ00

Death toll rises from Pakistan flooding:
http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/08/16/pakistan.floods/?hpt=T2#fbid=s3r94DLNqou&wom=false

Avaaz Burma Cyclone relief -- http://www.avaaz.org/en/highlights#burma

Avaaz Haiti Earthquake response -- http://www.avaaz.org/en/highlights#emergency_response


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