Pakistan flood and humanitarian Crisis

by Dr Rifai

(August 14, London, Sri Lanka Guardian) Recent flood in Pakistan is one of most extreme devastations that South Asian has seen in human history. It has been said that Global warming that takes place around the world is the main reason for many recent natural disasters especially for unprecedented floods, mudslides, and changing extreme whether patterns around the world: It is even argued by some scientists that climate changing is a myth and not a reality and whatever the scientists say in reality people have seen more natural disasters in recent years than ever before. That is the plain truth and reality. Rather than arguing for and against climate change. Let us see how do Pakistan government Islamic organisations, International Muslim Ummah and International community response to this crisis. It can be said that Pakistani flood is one the worst floods in human history and as in any third world countries, management and handling of this crisis has been so far very poor and unsatisfactory. Although many countries and organisations come forward to provide help and assistance for this crisis it is very sad that even after weeks help has not reached to some villages which are cut off by floods and people are literarily dying out of thirst and starvation and it is expected that unless proper measures are swiftly taken that this situation could deteriorate more and more people will eventually die due spread of waterborne disease.

This is indeed, a natural disaster and we can not blame any one for this disaster and no one expected that Pakistan will have such a huge rain for in one day that is equal to one year’s rain fall. Neither Pakistan people nor its government expected such rain fall in one week times: This devastation is so great and it is beyond any government in world to deal with it in a few days, All bridges are destroyed and all roads are damaged and infrastructure of this part of Pakistan is totally damaged and destroyed and it is very hard and impossible to transport logistics from place to place. Geographical landscape of this area is high mountainous and its very hard to move from one place to another and flood overflow hundreds of miles not in a small areas and nearly 15 millions people are affected equal to two third of Srilanka. Even most advanced countries would struggle to meet the challenges of this calamity. Therefore, it is no point in engaging in blaming games rather than we concentrate on relief works and helping these affected people in efficient ways. What is important here is how do we response this calamity and how do we as human being react and help the needy in time of urgency and stress. It does not mean that we are reluctant failure of Pakistani President to cut off his official visit even after two weeks of this disaster. He has been badly criticised by people in Pakistan and Abroad for his failure to cut off his visit and even his own niece has badly criticised him for not returning immediately and he did not act swiftly to this disaster and if a western leader acted in this way he would have been forced to resign and he can not image that any other leader would act like this and being executive president he should have immediately come back to his country at least console his people at this time of urgency: It is utter irresponsible way to behave like this. Suppose if his own child or parent dies will he continue his visit or if something disaster happens to his own family how will he feel and why he can not have such feeling and sympathy for his people. His presence in person will morally encourage people in this time of disaster. It is a sad truth that leaders in third world countries do not have sense of accountability and responsibilities in their duties. This is in direct contrast to western countries; in western countries leaders have a deep sense of responsibility and accountability. Unfortunately, we in third world country do not have such accountable political system and we our leaders are selected they behave like old kings and behave like totalitarians in power. They do what they want and act as they like and no judiciary mechanism to question them. This is sad truth in our countries not only in Pakistan but also in all third world countries and this attitude has to be changed sooner. This will happen with constant struggle of people and their constant democratic process. Whatever happened in the last two weeks, this irresponsible behaviour has seriously damaged good name of Pakistan government and more importantly President’s name and reputation. It is already reported that people are frustrated and they turn to Taliban to help and assistance. This is normal if any Government in power fail to deliver to people in time of urgency people will definitely find alternative ways. USA has already realised danger of this development and has come forward to help people with quick assistance. Today they have delivered 19 helicopters to transport engulfed people to safety places. Although, this is very much sophisticated and shrewd diplomacy in humanitarian aid but Pakistan Government do not have any alternative and situation is of immediate desperation. They did not have had any contingent plan in place to meet this disaster or they do not have sophisticated machineries and resources to meet a disaster with this magnitude. For this reasons, affected people welcome UAS aid and help.

During the tsunami in 2004 first and foremost help and assistance came form local people. Especially in Srilanka whole nation moved and came forward swiftly to provide immediate help and assistance and that was right move from local people. Before any help come from government and international community local communities came forward to help tsunami victims. In Pakistan nearly 10% percentage of people is affected by this disaster and rest of population should have mobilised it all resources and come forward to help these victims. It is true that they have done to some extent but they could have done more and for the last two weeks some people have starved and could not have any support from any sources: Local people and local charitable should have done more and more in these circumstance and they are in the ground and they could have mobilised their resources and charitable works: Secondly, the response of International community in this disaster is very slow and during the tsunami international community moved and acted quickly and donated more money and all international charitable organisations quickly acted but in this case, response was very slow. One reason for this delay may be that no one expected this magnitude of disaster and they thought this may be one of normal floods and so they waited and waited until this flood revealed its evil face and true nature. Now all realised it is truly one of greatest flood and all international charitable organisations demands more support and more helps: it should be noted almost all international charitable organisations are working on the grounds in Pakistan: They all should be appreciated and praised for their hard works in this great disaster: it is these charitable organisations that drew true picture of this disaster into attention of world through mass media communications. Indeed, as in any other disaster, they play a big role in this disaster. Even Pakistan government is reluctant to reveal true picture of human disaster due fear of repercussion but these charitable organisations bravely expose human suffering and in return international community extends its help and generosity. It should be noted that these charities are lifelines for these effected people and while they are being ignored by their own government and assistance provided these charities should be highly valued.

Though UN has pleaded with international communities to send more help and more money for flood victims its response has been slow so far and only today general Secretary visits flood victims and He should have been there at least one week before. Pakistan diplomats have failed to act quickly and they did not mobilise its international resources to draw attention of world leaders and organizations to help this disaster. It is self complacency of these people and government that so many people suffer a lot in this catastrophe. There are nearly 52 Muslim countries in the world and responses of these countries to this tragedy have been very sluggish. They have provided some help and support but given the magnitude of this disaster they should have done more and more promptly. Muslim nations should learn many lessons from this disaster. Natural Disasters could happen to any countries and they should have some contingency plans in place to help in times of emergency. They should have disaster management schemes in place so that they could meet any natural calamities like this. Islamic charities have been playing a major role but yet their role and duties are minimal compared to other international charities and NGOs. They have indeed been playing a great role but they do not have manpower and fiancé to deal with great disasters. This may be wakeup call for Muslim nations to set up with Oil dollars some international charitable organizations similar to that of Red Cross, Oxfam and other charities: This may be a wakeup cal for Asian Countries to set up Regional Charitable Organizations so that they could help in these times. Regional countries should have done more in this crisis. It should be noted that Srilankan government as gesture of gratitude has acted swiftly to help Pakistan in this disaster and send sent tones dry food items to the victims.

One of the reasons that Pakistan can not fully employ its forces in any disasters is that it has too many internal challenges. It has already deployed thousands of troops in Kashmir to defend against Indian aggression and it has already employed thousands of troops to fight its own Taliban and therefore, only a limited numbers of forces could engage in emergency situations. With all these additional deployments it is very difficult and burden to its forces to meet all these challenges. Whatever is the case, coming days and weeks are very much crucial and important to the victims of this disaster and it is already reported that people are suffering with water shortage and many people do not have access to clean water, food, cloth and medication: children and elderly people could get disease and sickness so quickly and they could die if these essential items are delivered to people on times. Pakistan people deeply religious and they have firm and strong faith in Almighty Allah and they have strong will power and determination and with help of Allah they will over come this difficulty and this may be a test for them in this holy month to make them stronger in their faith: we pray and hope that Almighty Allah will save them from any further calamity and in this situation it is paramount important that we pray and rely on divine help and assistance.