As Pakistan marks the 75^th anniversary of the partition from India and the birth of the nation, it has been struck by some of the worst flooding in its recent history caused by torrential monsoon rains.

There has been five times as much rainfall compared to the 30-year average in the worst hit areas. Villages and huge areas of agricultural land have been cut off. According to the Government of Pakistan: a third of the country, equivalent to an area the size of Great Britain, is under water.

Water borne diseases and access to safe clean drinking water are a huge issue. Infrastructure including roads and bridges have been badly damaged making transport and relief efforts difficult.

Disaster Aid UK & Ireland are launching an appeal to help. We are joining Disaster Aid country partners, NGOs and other relief organisations and are actively reaching out to communicate with local Rotarians and other organisations to establish exactly what resources are needed.

With your help and generosity allied to our expertise in shelter and safe water solutions we can give ‘a hand up, not a handout’ to people who desperately need our help and humanity.