WE'RE no strangers to flooding here in Montgomeryshire.
We know the remarkable impact that high water can have – from wrecking property and crops, to endangering life.
But even the worst inundation we’ve suffered here is small compared to what’s going on in Pakistan right now.
It has been estimated that as much as one third of Pakistan is now affected by a continuing deluge from the skies.
With much of Northern Pakistan underwater, and all bridges destroyed in some places, there is no sign of a respite at this stage.
The immediacy of the international response is only matched by the extent of the natural catastrophe which is occurring.
Up to 15 million people have been affected. It’s hard to grasp the power of nature which has created this disaster. 150,000 square kilometres have been affected.
I’ve not been in Pakistan yet. But I know the folks there are just ordinary people, like anyone here.
Their plight is a survival question. And it’s up to the more wealthy nations to do what we can to help.
Up to 7,000 villages have been totally destroyed.
Think of it like this. Imagine if Newtown, Welshpool, Abermule, Four Crosses, Meifod and Crew Green all the other villages nearby were washed away, with everything between Caersws and Shrewsbury underwater.
That’s an idea of how intense the damage is.
What can we do? We can’t stop the flooding. We can stop the deaths.
Pakistan needs around $500 million to stop the immediate danger to further deaths from starvation and disease. We can play our part.
Whatever our problems locally, this is an issue which requires urgent support.
Sometimes I hear people say that charity begins at home and we can’t afford to spare the cash to help others.
Well, I say this: we could take an insular view if we want to.
But we’re better than that. Their problems are so much more serious at the moment that this isn’t the time for our Government to hold back.
Now is when we need to act. We ought to do this, not because it helps us in some way, but because it is the right thing to do.
I sincerely hope that, at this time of international tragedy, we live up to our proud tradition of looking out for our fellow humans when they’re in desperate need.
I firmly believe, if the tables were turned, we’d get similar help from other countries. Let’s hope that never happens.
But more than anything, let’s hope our assistance now will make a real difference to the people of Pakistan. It’s literally a matter of life and death.