Americans are known to rise to the occasion to help those around the world who are in crisis. Following the devastating floods in Pakistan, there is a new opportunity to make a difference. Our Kaitlyn Lionti tells us about a local effort that's calling on Western New Yorkers to do just that.

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After seeing what the flooding has done to his country, he hopes those from his new home will lend a hand.

"They are looking towards the world to give them aid. Basic supplies like food, drink and health supplies and basic sanitation supplies," said Azam.

Azam is one of several volunteers who helped the Pakistani American Association of Western New York organize a fundraising event to help the cause and spread the word about the impact the flooding has had.

"The devastation is tremendous. More than 20 million people are displaced which is more than the population of the state of New York," said Faizan Haq, President of the Pakistani American Association of Western New York.

Those who came heard a firsthand account of what the disaster has done to Pakistan from a speaker who traveled there last month to help.

"People don't understand, when you have 20 million people who don't have food, water, they're living in tents, their livestock is living amongst them, there's the spread of disease and there's no one there to take care of them. It's a different kind of impact," said Dr. Ismail Mehr from the Islamic Medical Association of North America.

Dr. Mehr also responded to the Tsunami and the earthquakes in Haiti and Pakistan.
He says although those disasters received worldwide attention for their major destruction and death, the humanitarian crisis created by the flooding is worse than from the other incidents.

"Unfortunately, that awareness is not being created, but I'm sure that we can create the awareness amongst our colleagues and friends of the non-Pakistani community within our towns such as Buffalo and wherever. Then people will have an outpouring," said Dr. Mehr.

"My plea to the community of Western New York at large is this is the time where we can improve the image of America in those countries. Pakistan has been a great alley of the United States of America and this is a time to come forward and build bridge," said Haq.

This won't be the only event to benefit the cause. The organization is planning to host more in the future to help those affected by the flooding as much as possible.

If you're interested in donating to the cause, you can send a check to:

PAAWNY
4979 Harlem Rd.
Suite 2
Amherst, NY 14226