Atif Aslam meets with victims of the flood at a relief camp in Peshawar, Pakistan. Photo Credit: Atif Arena

In recent days, heavy flooding has devastated many parts of Pakistan — killing an estimated 1,600 people and forcing almost 2 million others to leave their homes and seek shelter elsewhere. And according to the United Nation, 3.5 million children are at risk from water-born diseases, including cholera and diarrhea. In response, Pakistani rock star Atif Aslam, who came to NYC just a few weeks ago, penned a letter to his fans, telling them, “ Please go by yourself , send ur [sic] relatives , friends or anyone and have a look at what is this nation [sic] going through as sitting at home and talking about relief camps wont do much.”

Photo Credit: Boston Globe

The hearthrob also wrote and recorded a song called “Haath Uthao,” (Lift Your Hands), which urges people to join hands and collaborate to help flood victims. For more information on how YOU can help Pakistani flood victims, check out this compilation of helpful links on the South Asian Journalists Association forum.