While we in the U.S. have been focused on the oil spill and its many ramifications, elsewhere in the world at least three large countries (Russia, China, and Pakistan) have been experiencing record-setting disasters. According to the source ReliefWeb, August 10. Extreme weather fuels debate over global warming, and as noted in a Scottish newspaper, August 10th, Pakistan’s floods to outstrip world’s last three disasters.
The United Nations is to launch an appeal for the victims of floods in Pakistan, which it warned could affect more people than the world’s last three great disasters combined. It said the toll could exceed the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake and the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
Two wikis have been set up to facilitate aid and donations for Pakistani victims. Please help, if you can.
Recovery Diva 
There are so many amazing and deeply moving images of this disaster that I struggled to choose one that represented the horror people must feel, especially as they watch their livelihoods (e.g. their cattle and fowl) drown in the muddy waters. I think the saddest picture, which I couldn’t find in picapp, was of a man swimming to safety with a chicken literally tied to his head.
This is also turning into a political disaster. Let’s hope the government is able to pull their act together and respond effectively in order to limit the ability of the Taliban to be perceived as the only group that can deliver aid and care. I heard one man say of the Taliban, “they helped us and if they ever need me, I will help them”. Great.
The Pakistan event is truly of epic proportions. I have begun to get pleas for donations and assistance. Let’s all do what we can to help.
Hey! You mean MOTHER NATURE and the laws of physics and chemistry don’t just apply to the US? Interesting to me that CHINESE have hired a PhD friend with background in mitigation.