PAKISTANI communities have been rallying around friends and family who have been affected by devastating flooding.

Many have relatives and other connections in the country and are showing solidarity by sending support as well as fundraising and offering counselling to those affected.

The efforts come as thousands of people have had their lives torn apart by the deluge, with the death toll surpassing 1,200 and many more people injured.

Arif Syed, chairman of Broadfield Mosque in Crawley, said: “I am from the province which has been most affected and some people have lost the whole of their livelihoods.

The Argus: Crawley Mosque has been rallying around affected membersCrawley Mosque has been rallying around affected members

“Some people in the community are taking it really, really hard. It has affected close relatives and they have completely withdrawn.

“Just a thought thinking of these people suffering can go a long way. That will be a great help hopefully.”

Mr Syed said his mosque has been offering counselling for those left shocked by the floods, as well as fundraising to help people in Pakistan.

So far they have managed to raise more than £8,000.

Crawley has a large Pakistani community which has been hit hard by the devastating floods. Earlier this week, Crawley Mayor Jilly Hart sent a letter to Pakistani president Arif Alvi on behalf of the town, saying it “stands in solidarity with the people of Pakistan”.

The Argus: Floods in Pakistan have now killed over 1,200 peopleFloods in Pakistan have now killed over 1,200 people

Crawley Councillor Atif Nawaz, who has friends and family in the stricken country, said: “Pakistan hasn’t got the resources to fight this devastation.

“The aftermath of the flood water may affect farming products which could cause food poverty.

“My sister has seen so much rain and her husband has caught a disease called dengue. People can’t get the health services they need because of the water.”

Cllr Nawaz and Mr Syed have called on the government to provide more aid to the people of Pakistan to help them recover from the floods.

The UK government has pledged £10 million towards the humanitarian mission as well as matching further public donation up to £5 million.