Were you even aware?

The US media seem to be ignoring this or giving it minimal notice.

The flooding just keeps getting worse and worse. On Saturday, the UN estimated that 4 million people were affected by the flooding in Pakistan. By Sunday they revised that estimate to 6 million people. Today, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates that over 13 million people are affected.

It is no wonder that a UN officials are saying this is bigger than the 2004 tsunami. In fact, that would make it bigger than the combined number of people affected by the Tsunami, Haiti earthquake and 2005 Kashmir eartquake...combined.

That's from the UN Dispatch.

Can we let this sink in?

Thirteen million.

Let us pray.



Flood affectees evacuating in Dera Ismail Khan. PHOTO: EXPRESS

h/t to LaughingPlanet where you can read more and find channels to help.

The UN is also launching an appeal.

--the BB

When disaster strikes - updated

Whom would you like to see in charge of things in a time of disaster: Obama or McCain?

Muzikal203 has a terrific post up at Daily Kos, discussing the matter of "walking the walk." There you will have the opportunity to learn about and assess the responses of the two candidates to events such as Katrina, the midwestern floods earlier this year, and the impending effects of Gustav.

The McCains visit the region; Obama uses his e-mail clout to mobilize donations and volunteers. On the one hand we have a photo op and on the other we have community organizing (where Obama began his career).

What is really amazing, though, is looking at McCain's voting record with respect to emergency situations and funding related to Katrina's aftermath. One would hesitate to proclaim him a friend of disaster victims. But this is consistent, is it not?
UPDATE:
John Aravosis summarizes it well at Americablog:

Keep in mind, Mccain voted against the Katrina Commission to hold the Bush Administration accountable for their disastrous non-handling of the previous hurricane. He voted against extending unemployment benefits to Katrina victims. He voted against Medicaid for Katrina victims. He voted against funding the Army Corps of Engineers. He sought and received the endorsement of Pastor John Hagee after Hagee said Katrina was God's punishment against New Orleans. And finally, McCain celebrated his birthday with his bff George Bush and a big cake the very minute that Katrina was destroying New Orleans. McCain has already been battle-tested in disaster response. And he lost.

--the BB