For the month of September The Palais Theatre in Melbourne will be collecting donations after all their shows for the Save the Children Pakistan Flood Appeal.

So head along to the Palais and drop a dollar or two in the bucket as you leave and help the children & families affected by the floods.

Shows at The Palais Theatre:

• Angus and Julia Stone 8,9,10 Sept.
• Man in Black 18 Sept.
• Unknown Pleasures 24 Sept.

After eight days in Pakistan’s flood-affected southern province of Sindh, I’m heading home.

I’m unusually melancholy. Despite the low number of reported deaths, I’m troubled by what I witnessed in Pakistan.

Grave doubts for Ramzan

I’m particularly haunted by the memory of a two-year old boy called Ramzan. When I met him he had spent fifteen days living on a baking concrete floor, and had watery diarrhoea. As a result, Ramzan was severely dehydrated.

A doctor supported by Save the Children explained he had grave doubts for his chances of survival – diarrhoea is the number one killer of children under the age of five.

I’m not a father, but some of my closest friends have children Ramzan’s age. I’ve spent time with their children, and know a well-nourished, healthy, happy toddler when I see one. Sadly that was not so for Ramzan.

Read Ian's full blog post here.