On Wednesday, a 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck Pakistan’s Balochistan province, killing at least 170 people and leaving thousands homeless, [see related CHUP post]. When I first heard news of the tragedy, the first thought that came to me was an image I captured in a photograph almost three years ago, [see above], when I visited Balakot. The town, located in the NWFP, had been completely destroyed by the October 2005 earthquake, a disaster that killed about 74,500 people and injured over 100,000 in the region. It was one the largest natural disasters to afflict Pakistan, and was labeled the 14th deadliest earthquake of all time. Upon arriving in Balakot, we stopped to survey the devastation from a hilltop. The haunting image I captured above immortalized the emotions we were experiencing at that very moment – feelings of helplessness and concern, sadness and despair. The most overpowering emotion, though, was how small we felt amid the vast stretch of destruction and rubble that lay before us. It seems that no matter how much destruction we can cause by our own hands, through suicide bombings, violence, and intolerance, the power of God and nature will always bring us to our knees.
Those same emotions sat with me this morning, as I read article after article detailing the increasing casualty numbers in Balochistan and the relief efforts underway to recover survivors amid the rubble. This is the same conflict-ridden province that was hit by a cyclone last year, a disaster that destroyed hundreds of thousands of homes. Today, yet another tragedy has occurred, this time on the brink of a harsh winter. Mohammed Hashim, a resident in Wam, one of the hardest hit villages, told the AFP, “We are doomed…We have nothing left to save our families from the cold in the night.” The news agency reported, “Destitute survivors sat beside campfires as the night brought sub-zero temperatures to the mountainous quake zone bordering Afghanistan,” waiting for medical aid and supplies. The AFP’s correspondent in Wam reported that emergency tents had still not arrived by Wednesday night, “forcing exhausted villagers to hunker down in the ruined shells of their homes.” Many of the residents had spent “the day in a desperate search for loved ones or burying the dead in mass graves, as aftershocks nearly as big as the initial quake pounded the landscape, sending rocks spewing from nearby peaks and sparking fresh panic.”
If the earthquake in 2005 taught us anything, it’s that with immense tragedy comes the outpouring of human compassion. I still remember in 2005, when residents in Islamabad pitched in to help lift bricks and rubble in F-10, to help recover survivors from a collapsed apartment building. I remember how many people donated blankets, warm clothes, and tents to those suffering in the afflicted areas near Kashmir. Let us showcase that same compassion in the aftermath of this tragedy. We cannot stop the occurrence of natural disasters, but we can help restore what was left in their wake.
How you can help:
- Visit the page set up via Wikia Pakistan to learn more about the grassroots relief effort
- Organize drives to collect blankets, warm clothes, and money for tents to send to the affected areas
- Contact an Edhi Foundation center in your area to learn how you can donate your time/money for the relief efforts
- Islamic Relief is now accepting donations for relief efforts on their website, [thanks, Five Rupees].
When I first heard the news yesterday, I scrambled to my computer to figure what one earth had happened. I couldn’t believe that something more was causing devastation in Pakistan.
Kalsoom, I very much appreciate your personal piece. Thank you for the insight. The picture on the hill was sadly beautiful.
So, so sad….with all the problems facing Pakistan, this earthquake only accentuates the misery and desperation of the struggling people.
K, your personal approach to the article is heartbreaking….like the story of Mohd Hashem who like many, many others is left in this dire, hopeless situation.
Time for each one of us to reach out and help!
Great article, K. Please donate to Edhi generously…you can do it online and even through Facebook through the Causes application.
The Hidaya Foundation is also accepting donations: https://donation.hidaya.org/donation.aspx?projectId=65
I’m not sure how they divy up the money you donate to them. I’d highly recommend contacting Edhi, or even Islamic Relief.
No matter how bad the political and military situation is, Pakistanis do (and should) come together in times like this. Thanks for providing the links to all the organizations we can support at a tragic time like this.
That’s such an intense picture. Thanks for shining a more human light on this tragedy.
Great article. I saw a powerful picture today in the newspaper of this woman overcome with grief and my heart just went out to her. I can’t even begin to imagine what it’s like to have my home and my family taken away from me nor do I ever want to.
Thanks for writing this and as always informing us of ways in which we can help.
The great thing about your site is that each time I read it, I feel like I’m back in Pakistan even though I’m really not. 🙂
nice photo and article!
Terrible tragedy. Please donate generously as even a few dollars goes a long way in Pakistan.
A very touching piece-thank you Ms K.
http://www.thezakat.org/ is another good organization, if anyone needs a website that can process credit card donations.
Kalsoom, great work. What you have done is charity too and May God bless you for this.
[…] highlights the diverse perspectives and views of Pakistanis at home and abroad, included my piece [originally posted on CHUP] on the Balochistan Earthquake that occurred several weeks ago. Click here to read it, and to read […]
Yes undeveloped region of Pakistan. Shall central government
assist us? Still waiting since start of United Pakistan. Are we
following the Deen repressive nature. Of military upon Quetta
time shall tell. Respect all of of different cultural bakgrounds!