The news from Pakistan has been heartbreaking.
We have been engulfed with images of flood affected citizens wading through what was once their homes, fires from the violence and targeted killings in Karachi, and smoke billowing from cars destroyed by a suicide bombing in Peshawar, an attack that killed the chief of Pakistan’s Frontier Constabulary.
And that was just the last few days.
According to news agencies, Pakistan has issued new flood warnings, “as heavy rains are expected to inflict more misery on areas where at least 1,500 people have already been killed and 980,000 more have lost their homes,” reported Al Jazeera English. According to Nadeem Ahmad, chairman of Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority, about three million people were now affected by floods in the country – 1.5 million in the northwest and the same number in Punjab. While the disaster, labeled as “the worst flood in Pakistan since 1929,” had been focused in the country’s Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhuntkhwa provinces, media outlets reported that the flood began spreading to Punjab on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF, or Doctors Without Borders), say the receding water is allowing more access to previously isolated areas, though the new flood warnings “could cause renewed problems.”
Spokesmen from the United Nations World Food Program have also told reporters that workers were “urgently trying to reach flood areas in the northwest cut off from food supplies.” Dawn quoted WFP’s Amjad Jamal noting,
You can imagine for five or six days floods have caused havoc in these areas. People have lost their food stocks. The markets are not up and running. Shops have collapsed. People are definitely in the greatest need of food. That’s what we fear. The need to rush to those areas which have been cut off for the past week to provide them with life-saving food.
The long-term impact of the floods on issues like health and livelihood are also significant. According to Dawn, authorities fear a breakout of water-borne diseases like cholera that could subsequently trigger a health crisis. And as the floods sweep away farm land and devastate livestock, farmers in the affected provinces stand to lose “millions of dollars,” noted Dawn. Moreover, the displacement of numerous Pakistani citizens caused by the disaster further compounds the country’s pre-existing Internally Displaced People (IDP) issue, [in March, I wrote that a million people remain displaced after the military’s operations against the Taliban last summer].
Given this enormous devastation, [as well as the wave of targeted killings in Karachi that have killed 47 people after the assassination of MQM’s Raza Haider], it is no bloody wonder that the country is pissed off at President Asif Ali Zardari, who is off on a jaunt around Europe while Pakistan is drowning. Regardless whether Zardari is needed to make decisions related to disaster relief or he is merely a figurehead, the decision to press forward with his tour comes across as callous and disconnected, and does not bode well for his already dismal popularity ratings (according to Pew Research Center’s poll, only 20% of those polled have a favorable view of Zardari, compared to 71% for PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif). In a piece for Dawn entitled, “While You Are (Perpetually) Away,” Shyema Sajjad emphasized,
Yes, so while I clicked on some pictures of you smiling with Nicholas Sarkozy, your children along your side, I also happened to come across pictures of some other families. They weren’t well-dressed and neither were they in France. They were crying, sitting in various parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. But then again, they are just a statistic right? I am not sure what the death toll was when you left but it has now crossed 1,400, with over three million affected. I understand discussing diplomacy and terror strategies are important but what about these people, sir? Are they really just a statistic for you? People with homes swept away and children drowned, can’t just be statistics.
Even British-Pakistani politicians Khalid Mahmood (from the Labour Party) and Nazir Khan have refused an invitation to meet the Pakistani President, who arrived yesterday for his five-day visit to the UK. Mahmood told Al Jazeera, “I just don’t feel I could bring myself to a meeting with somebody who has no ounce of respect for his own people, when these people are in dire straits.”
While this is certainly a time to be angry at our leadership, or lack thereof, it’s also a time to concentrate our energy towards helping the many people in need. And this is how you can do so [feel free to add more suggestions in the comments section]:
- My company, ML Resources Social Vision, in partnership with Pakistani Peace Builders, launched Relief4Pakistan on August 13, a global grassroots donation campaign that leverages social media platforms to raise money for the flood affected families in Pakistan. See the R4P website here to donate (donations go directly to Mercy Corps’ first response relief efforts on the ground), or this blog post for more background.
- [If you live in the United States] Text “SWAT” to 50555 to donate $10 towards Pakistan’s flood victims. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has partnered with mGive again to allow mobile contributions for those affected by the disaster. Every $10 helps provide tents and emergency aid to displaced families. When prompted, reply with “YES” to confirm your gift.
- Donate to Save the Children, which is on-the-ground and responding to the flood by preparing to distribute plastic sheeting for shelters and other household supplies and hygiene kits to families affected. At the request of the Pakistan Health Department and the World Health Organization, Save the Children has also deployed mobile health teams and ambulances to provide emergency medical treatment in the worst affected areas. Click here to donate directly to their efforts.
- The International Rescue Committee‘s emergency team are currently working to serve Charsadda, Nowshera, Lower Dir and Swat. They are also conducting assessments in Kohat and Hangu, to better understand how those populations are being affected and what assistance they may need. In addition to providing these essential items and services, the IRC are also planning on providing livelihood activities, so as to help families get back on their feet as soon as possible. You can donate to the IRC by clicking here, or if you call 1-877-REFUGEE (1-877-733-8433), you can specifically earmark your donation for the Pakistani relief efforts.
- Medecins Sans Frontieres, or Doctors Without Borders, has a team on the ground and is providing emergency medical services. To donate to MSF, go to their website.
- Oxfam International is also on the ground and hopes to raise $6 million for their immediate and long-term response to the disaster. You can choose to make a donation to your nearest Oxfam affiliate, (though Oxfam Australia, Great Britain, Germany, Netherlands and Spain all currently running direct appeals for the Pakistan floods). Click here for information.
- As noted in the above post, the World Food Programme (WFP) is providing food to those affected by the flood. To donate to their efforts, see here.
- The Edhi Foundation has a stellar reputation in Pakistan and provides emergency services to those in need. Click here to find and donate to your local Edhi office.
- CARE International is also working on the ground in relief efforts. 90 cents of every dollar goes towards the cause, see here.
Via a friend’s status message on Facebook:
Officials have sought to defend the cost of Zardari’s trip, issuing a statement insisting he was staying in the “cheapest five-star hotel in London”and was avoiding the royal suite in favour of a “relatively cheaper” one. –AFP.
How is this supposed to make the ppl who lost their homes or families or livelihoods feel any better about the audacity of our President? It infuriates me.
[…] that killed the chief of Pakistan’s Frontier Constabulary. And […] Read more at: CHUP! – Changing Up Pakistan al jazeera, al jazeera english, amjad, ap image, balochistan, disaster management, doctors […]
Thanks for this info Kals! Really helpful.
not only is our president’s behavior appalling, his justifications are also equally repulsive. i cannot believe he was pictured shaking hands with sarkozy with such enthusiasm at the same time that thousands of pictures were emerging of Pakistani people in distress. when katrina hit north carolina, president bush was criticized for not immediately returning back to DC from his vacation in Texas (he returned a day later).. meanwhile our President is shamelessly fluttering around Europe to launch his son’s political career. DISGUST.
Thanks for the post–I texted “Swat” a couple of times. F’ing depressing, the whole thing.
Thanks for the links, everyone please donate, I know this sounds jaded but a little money can really go a long way in the face of this unspeakable tragedy. I am looking for the names of good local organizations (grassroots) thats are doing good work in response to the floods as well and will pass those on soon.
Eman,
Here is a link with some local organizations that are doing work on the ground: http://www.haqeeqat.org/2010/08/04/do-your-part-help-flood-victims-how-here-is-how/
Also, Future Leaders of Pakistan (FLP), THALI, and Human Relief Foundation (HRF) are partnering to provide relief to victims of the recent floods. They are collecting cash to use for purchasing relief packages.
For information and donations, please contact:
Usama Khilji 0332.513.3506
Zain Saadullah Khan 0345.856.2843
Atif Siddique 0333.555.2843
Waleed Riaz 0334.517.4577
Hi Kalsoom,
A clarification on this: THALI has worked only with Human Relief Foundation for logistic and admin support for flood relief efforts in Khyber-Paktunkhwa. The rest of the aid distributions in Swat, Kalam and Southern Punjab have been independent efforts. Out of the above mentioned, only Zain Sadullah Khan is a part of THALI.
For more information on our projects and flood-related work you can visit our website http://www.thali.org.pk or find us on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=65601527672&ref=ts
You can also contact us directly on 0333.571.0076 / 0333.560.0082
Thank you for your support!
Regards,
Shifa S. Khan
VP Projects, THALI – an effort
shifa.khan@thali.org
It’s seems that misery upon misery is being inflicted on the Pakistani awam.
While I am not fan of our President, I find it baffling that criticism would be leveled upon him for the reasons that it has, on this trip. As you mentioned already, the President of Pakistan is a figurehead, since Pakistan has a parliamentary system, the Prime Minister is the head of the Government. I am not sure what, if any good the President could have done while sitting in the Presidential Palace, in Islamabad.I, as a Pakistani, definitely want him doing the only job he can do: representing Pakistan in foreign meetings, with the heads of other states.
It is important for Pakistan to move forward in ties with the U.K, one of the biggest donors to Pakistan, even if that involves objecting to Cameron’s remarks, in person. He would also be doing more good by meeting Sarkozy, than sitting here in Pak. In anything, aid and relief efforts by European powers, can be hurried, and more commitments secured.
The current criticism of him involves pretty inane political attacks, and anger – borne out of his previously bad reputation. It makes for bad PR but maybe we should criticize him for valid reasons, such as him taking along his entire family on an official visit. Him staying in five star hotels is neither here nor there, as that is the expected protocol for any visiting head, and can’t really be helped.
Mackers,
I agree that the criticism leveled on Zardari is a little much, esp since his political opponents seem to be using this as an opportunity to villify him and and gain political leverage. However, regardless whether Zardari is just a figurehead or if he could really do anything being in Islamabad versus in the UK in meetings with ministers, the point I think is the perception of the whole thing. At the end of the day, the UK visit could wait one week – but for the people in Pakistan who are losing their homes and their livelihoods, his lack of presence gives off the perception that he has no compassion for his own people. The Europe tour can wait, but the disaster won’t.
Due to heavey monsoon rains in Pakistan, about half of the Pakistan is under flood. Millions of people need help. They have no food and shelter. Please create awareness and try to help these needy people. You can give your suggestions to us at info@forumpakistan.com , your
little help can save a life.
A message from http://www.forumpakistan.com , we request all the charity organization in the
world to come in Pakistan and help in this hour of need.
Thanks.
Mackers
I do agree with you that Presidents are figure heads and Pakistan has a parliamentarian system. However, he is the Co-Chairman of the party ruling the country. That alters a lot of expectations, especially from a man with a chequered past.
Moreover, it is not ‘just a small crisis’, Pakistan is facing one of the worst natural disasters in her history. He needs to sympathise with the people, to let them know that he is with them and for them. Otherwise, it just adds fuel to the fire and provides more opportunity for political slander.
Anyhow, Yes his trip is important, however, it could have been delayed by a day or two. He could’ve visited these areas as the current Prime Minister, Gillani is doing.
The government officials need to think more before they act. They need to remember that they are accountable for ALL their actions
I think we also need to think more deeply about the underlying problem in Pakistan which is the lack of a system to provide for the needs of the majority of citizens at ‘normal’ times let alone during events such as these floods.
Democratic or military leaderships have failed over the last 60 years of so.
Finally, as Muslims first and foremost we need to look back at our glorious history under the Khilafah system which while not always prefect at least cared and provided for its citizens.
For how long will we ignore the ‘elephant in the room’?
http://www.hizb.org.uk/hizb/who-is-ht/htb-national-events/protest-against-zardari-watch-live-130pm-7th-aug.html
Hi,
Please see this article from Huffington post titled:
BRAC Providing Flood Relief in Pakistan
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/susan-davis/brac-providing-flood-reli_b_669275.html
Thanks!
Richa
Thanks richa!
Hi Kalsoom,
I really like your blog. I find your posts to be balanced, articulate and always interesting.
You can also see our blog at http://blog.bracusa.org/
On our blog you will be able to see a daily update on our relief efforts on the ground in Pakistan.
I would love to tell you more about BRAC and our work in Pakistan. Would it be possible to get your contact information so that I could send you some information on BRAC via email/ or snail mail?
Thank you!
Regards,
Richa Agarwal
richa@bracusa.org
[…] Lakhani at CHUP reiterates the anger and frustration at the President: Given this enormous devastation, [as well as the wave […]
Kalsoom
I commend you for putting up all the links regarding how to donate in the US. This tragedy is truly truly awful and I do detect that somehow people are not connecting with the scale of the disaster. In the UK, it’s continuously on TV now so with PM Cameron’s remark, the cricket and Pres. Zardari’s visit, it is getting a lot of airtime. The major charities here DEC launched an appeal and 2.5 million pounds was raised from the British public in just 24 hours. Hopefully there is much more to come as the Brits are a generous people. Of course charities such as Islamic Relief and Muslim Aid will be in the forefront of the raise too.
I thought that you may also find it interesting to know that one of the Jewish groups here is also raising funds to help. It’s heartening to see this.
I am posting the relevant links for information.
http://www.wjr.org.uk/
http://www.bod.org.uk/
http://www.dec.org.uk/
Hope everyone can donate to the charity of their choice as much as possible as of course for many of us we cannot help physically.
Regards,
[…] Lakhani at CHUP reiterates the anger and frustration at the President: Given this enormous devastation, [as well as the wave […]
[…] Changing Up Pakistan: https://changinguppakistan.wordpress.com/2010/08/04/turning-grief-into-action/ […]
Brothers I know Algeria wants assist. With efficient irrigation
systems along. Water treatment plants and distillations processing. Allah helps us only problem can Zardari be honest?
By means, of not stealing the money for improvements!
Libya, Indonesia,Bahrain and Qatar seek. To assist in as listed
above sewage plants. Majority coming from Algeria and Libya.
With Qatar and Indonesia building large. Capacity water treatment still can we actually. Use the aid for appropriate usage yes. Needs to monitored for honesty because. Without
consultants most shall go into European bank accounts!
before giving donations everyones asking here if the money is goin through government.. no one trusts them anymore i wonder what they are still doing on their posts.. we allotogether, cant we do anything for it??
Allah help Pakistan..
Pakistan problem is central Punjabi middle men. Whom influence upon economic means for development. Of Pakistan yes, two many opponents PLM-N and PPP. So place your faught upon, misappropriation of public polices.
If the funds which used from wheat sales. Along port duties
this could benefited. The water treatment planets yes there
ancient and beyond. Zardari: whom? Do you have your own
private sewage planet. If so you’ll never dsclose of this it is
accurate. Algeria shall come assist the broken. Aftermath,
of nasty provential indifferance. Which generated Punjab if
was me. No foreign influence should find independent. Companies to moniter and make sure each. Penny is use
for the cause not so scum bag Punjab middle man. Whom
never prompted changing terraine Pakistan. Starts to swindle more money out foreign pockets. Why? Fail investments local markets in Pakistan, let’s make Dawah.
For political officials whom care about straving Pakistan! Time for economic progress, if the same elite. Use the funds
well never rebound are central bank. Which is depleted!
i don’t know when this all thing gonna end up with us ? . Since last 3 years from the day that this democracy came in pakistan since than we are under nothing but tentions , Suicide attacks, Bomb blast and all Pakistani
is suffering from these types of things . One thing we should understand is that Democracy is not for pakistan .