International Focus Shifting Away From Pakistan Floods(?)

An article just came out from the IRIN that said the amount of disaster aid going into Pakistan for the floods is decreasing as media coverage decreases. This makes sense because once the main event with the most photographic opportunities is over, the media is quick to find the next event. So in times when areas need the most help, they don't get it because other countries are more interested in the emergency period.

I read this article and decided to find more on the topic. When I google searched articles on the Pakistan floods, I found three new press releases that said Canada and Japan were donating large amounts of money to help Pakistan. This made me wonder how much more Pakistan was getting before if Canada has donated 46.8 million dollars and Japan has pledged 500 million dollars.  The example of the Japanese pledging 500 million affirms what the article from IRIN said about not seeing some of the money that has been pledged to them so far.

It is estimated that Pakistan will need 1.93 billion within the next year to rebuild, and many are concerned with winter coming up that this disaster will become exacerbated. However, from a political standpoint, nations are worried that their donations will be used for corrupt purposes rather than to help the people of Pakistan.

Twenty minute discussion on trying to get more flood aid between Riz Khan, Salman Ahmad and Peter Gabriel:

http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/view.php?id=46715

Pakistan November 13, 2010 as compared to November 17, 2010 below



Links:

IRIN article on Pakistan needing more funds:
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportID=91101

Article on Canadian government donating more money to Pakistan:
http://www.cbc.ca/politics/story/2010/11/15/pakistan-flood-relief.html

Article on Japan's pledge of money to help Pakistan:
http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/japan-pledges-additional-500-mil-for-pakistan-flood-relief