Pakistan Announces Drought Aid, Urges Public’s Assistance

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan —  Gen. Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan’s military ruler, urged the public Saturday to pray for rain and donate money to help an estimated 3.2 million people affected by severe water shortages in the south.

Musharraf made the call for prayers in a statement released Saturday after officials held emergency meetings on the drought. The prayers are to be offered by Muslims in mosques and open grounds.

Musharraf also announced a $37-million emergency aid package for drought-stricken areas, the statement said.

The drought has affected about 2.1 million people in southwestern Baluchistan province. Fifteen people have died in the province as a result of the drought, the statement said.

In southern Sindh province, at least 1.1 million people, mostly in the desert region of Tharparkar, have been affected. The drought is causing masses of people to migrate to cities and areas where water can be found.

Herds of goats, sheep, camels and cows have died in the drought-ravaged regions.

Neighboring nations Afghanistan and India also are suffering under the extended dry spell. The United Nations has issued an emergency appeal for Afghanistan, where millions of people have been relocated and entire herds wiped out.

In India’s western states of Rajasthan and Gujarat, more than 50 million people were suffering.

In Pakistan, soldiers were spearheading relief work, supplying food and medicine, and using helicopters to reach remote areas.