After four years of 2005 Earthquake.

Syed Muzammil Hussain, September 06, 2009 (Balochistan Times): y Syed Muzammil Hussain ERRA/ NGOs helped affectees a lot but the amount for construction of New Houses is like peanuts. This amount should be increased up to Rs.3,00,000/- (three hundred thousand) keeping in view the present price hike of the construction material. Human society is a composition of men, women and children. All are interdependent as they have to assist others and get assistance from others to live on this planet - the basis of the social contract theory. Generally, it is understood that people help each other during times of joy, however, the actual test of sympathy takes places during times of misery and disaster. A friend in need is a friend indeed is a better reflection of this reality. For Pakistanis, the earthquake of October 8, 2005 became a symbol of sympathy and assistance to others in their misery and sorrow. The government agencies were unable to handle this disaster, which was too massive for any single government or agency to tackle alone. It was the participation of the people, en mass, which enabled the government and all its wings to bear the heavy burden. A survey was conducted in the earthquake-hit areas of Azad Kashmir and NWFP, which revealed that the tragedy created a sense of unity and sympathy in the masses not only in Pakistan or among Muslims, but these sentiments were evinced all over the world. It is a general perception in our society that we see conspiracies hidden behind each and every humanitarian activity. Hidden motives colour our reality but this is not true in this case, since not all humanitarian activities fall in this category. For example we always condemn the UN for its double standards towards Muslims under US pressure. This mindset should be changed as various UN specialised bodies like UNICEF, WHO, WFP, UNHCR and others doing a tremendous service to humanity. Presently, we condemn the Western media for having taken its freedom too far; the publication of sacrilegious caricatures against the dignity of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was a blow to us all. However, it must be understood that elements behind these caricatures have tried to sabotage harmony and good working relationship between Western societies and the Muslim world, especially Pakistan, which emerged soon after the earthquake of October 8, 2005. Individuals, both inside and outside Pakistan, contributed immensely during the whole relief activities and proved that they are able to overcome any eventuality or disaster. During the early weeks of the disaster a number of people, especially housewives, presented all the belongings of their houses to help relief efforts for the afflicted populace. For example in many instances women and children presented their sarees and neckties which were of no real use for earthquake affectees, however, it reflected their sympathy and love for the people in trouble. Americans are proud of their being number one among the nations of the world that donate to charitable missions, however according to a news report, an American think tank openly admitted that Pakistanis were far ahead of Americans in charity collection from within Pakistan and its eventual distribution. The American think tank added that if the population, size of the country and per capita income of Pakistan was kept in view, it would be observed that it was one of the leading nations in the field of humanitarian relief. A number of Pakistanis and Kashmiris residing overseas contributed a lot in this hour of need. They collected millions of rupees in cash, clothes, medicines and other household items and distributed without any discrimination. This was just a glance at individuals and now we have to look upon the collective activities of foreign and national philanthropist and relief organisations and personalities. It will be preferable to start with Edhi Foundation which has become a symbol of relief in Pakistan and abroad. Adding to this, there were a number of Cuban doctors and medical staff who helped people day and night. They were so committed to their cause that they always preferred to visit villages and provide door to door treatment to the ailing. All other organisations involved in relief activities must be acknowledged and appreciated. They were Turkish, Iranians, Saudis, Kuwaitis, Bahrainis, Libyans, EU countries, US organisations, Mercy International of Malaysia, ARC, WHO,WFP, UNICEF, UNHCR, Aga Khan Foundation, Sungi Foundation, Omar Foundation, Eqbal Ahmed Foundation, Aurat Foundation, Shirkat Gah, Kashmir Education Foundation, Focus International, Interlop, Care International, Canadian International Development Agency, Citizen Foundation, Anatolian Development Foundation, Turkey, Heks Switzerland, GOAL, Save the Children, Medicines Sans Frontiers, Oxfam, Adra, IOM, World League Against Poverty, Peace Wind Japan, NATO, SOS, Action Aid and KNHTD of Thailand. Other socio-political and religious personalities and organisations who contributed for earthquake victims include the Grand Ayatullah Ali Sistani, Najaf-e-Ashraf from Iraq, Yasin Malik from Srinagar, Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan, Pakistan Muslim League Pakistan, Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf, Pakistan Peoples Party, Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front, Jammu Kashmir Peoples Party, Pakistan Labour Party, Al Rashid Trust, Al Mustafa Trust, Al Rehmat Trust, Al Akhtar Trust, Hussaini Relief, Minhajul Quran, Jamiat-e-Ahl-e-Hadith, Jamia-e-Ahl-Bait, Jabir Bin Hayyan Trust, Ummah Welfare Trust, Khaksar Movement, Masoom Welfare Trust, Muslim Hands, Muslim Global Relief, The Message, Idara-e-Khidmat-e-Insani, Bahria Town, Anjuman-e-Fazlia, Al Suffa Foundation, Zia-ul-Ummat Foundation, Young Blood Daska, Islamic Relief, Islamic Help, Helping Hands, Helper Foundation (Bagh), Al Falah Trust, Communist Mazdoor Kissan Party Pakistan, Azim Maan Foundation, Amir Begum Trust, Gulzar Safia Begum Memorial Trust, Maqsood Welfare Foundation, Anam Foundation, Mughal Foundation, Sahara Welfare Trust, Khubaib Foundation, Tablighi Jamaat, Dawat-e-Islami, Jamaat-ud-dawah, Anjuman-e-Talaba-e-Islam, Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba, Tehrik-e-Islami, Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) along with other universities, colleges and schools. All newspapers, all TV channels, including The Post, all press clubs and countless other organisations contributed tremendously. A large number of educational institutions were badly affected due to the earthquake. Some universities, colleges and schools responded positively and announced admissions for thousands of students. For example Mohiuddin Islamic University of Azad Kashmir has provided all the board/lodging and related facilities for over five thousand students for a period of ten years. The International Islamic University in Islamabad also decided to exempt affected students from paying fees in its all existing programmes. Siddique Public School Rawalpindi, Saba Trust, Islamabad, Read Foundation and other organizations are also following these footsteps. Some critics have raised objections over the manner and style of relief activities conducted by the Pakistan Army. They must recognise the role of the army in the first month of disaster and afterwards. It was the army which revived life in the affected areas, maintained the law and order situation and helped in distributing cash assistance to the affectees. The Federal Relief Commissioner and Earthquake Relief and Rehabilitation Authority both were working under serving generals and contributed a lot. This should be widely acknowledged. ERRA/ NGOs helped affectees a lot but the amount for construction of New Houses is like peanuts. This amount should be increased up to Rs.3,00,000/- (three hundred thousand) keeping in view the present price hike of the construction material. Now the earthquake-affected areas are in a new phase of rehabilitation. Here the role of NGOs as well as government agencies is important again. They should continue their activities till the return of the last affectee to his or her house. The NGOs should respect the dignity of affectees while conducting their operations. There were some quarrels among rival organisations which was counterproductive because the people need help - not quarrels. They also do not want sectarianism in their territory. Let us all work for peace and rebuilding a community affected by one of the most devastating natural disasters of recorded history.

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)