IN-FOCUS: Saeeda Diep's account on E'Quake in Pakistan
Saeeda Diep, saeedadiep@yahoo.com


"I FELT HELPLESS, DISAPPOINTED, DISHEARTENED. IT WAS SO PAINFUL AND DEVASTATING. AFTER THREE DAYS WHEN I RETURNED, I REALIZED THAT I DIDN'T EAT ANYTHING FOR THE PAST 3 DAYS..." - Saeeda Diep


Friends!

Never before in more than 100 years, earthquake of such magnitude has trembled the region with entire villages and its populace being wiped out from the face of the earth. The loss of life is colossal with children being orphaned, mother's crying for their loved ones and fathers looking for missing ones in the rubble

I was unable to contact all of you and reply your emails as since the day of this destruction I was  trying to collect food items blankets and medicine .Later I went to Balakot  and Bagh  for just 3 days to analyze the need of the people. I felt helpless, disappointed, disheartened. it was so painful and devastating. After 3 days when i returned i realized that i did not eat anything for the past 3 days.

Let me just share a few observations which maybe of some help to
other volunteers who have not been to the earthquake hit areas so
far. First of all, as a volunteer you should be prepared to rough it out and take whatever you think you may need for your own comfort yourself. Take your own warm clothes, sleeping bag , surgical mask and do not forget to get yourself vaccinated .Anything you do as a volunteer counts. Do not expect to always work as a front line worker, assist those who need your help as best as you can. Do not go to these areas as a tourist and just to be an onlooker.  this is about all of us and the best way to help is to get involved in a simple and humble manner.  People need support, but do not patronize them. wherever you
can give comfort, do that.

I had never seen before such  devastating scenes in   my life.  The whole area was stinking

like any thing because of the smell of the bodies coming out of the rubble. few relatives still are insisting that bodies to be brought out so they could bury them with honor.

There was no electricity and water supply  in the area even after one week. People are fleeing the area. May be, escaping to safe places. There is rush of internal migration. . Every effected person begged for more tents, warm cloths and blankets.

I request the  philanthropists and humanitarian groups to review
their relief initiatives for quake victims and survivors. Relief
efforts without taking into account the diverse needs of victims
would bring difficulties than benefits to the needy. I have seen the relief supplies are being dumped on roadsides as these do not meet the requirements of disaster survivors. I also witnessed that relief goods and services are being concentrated in easily accessible areas.
 

There is a chance if relief goods and services are delayed most of
the survivors will die as weather is getting very cold up at
mountains.

Rush of sympathy of general public will fade away  in few
months and these people will be left alone. Therefore we should work to support them after initial pains and sufferings have been taken care of. Apologists for the military regime (and some still exist) are going to repeat all the usual excuses. Some of these will not be totally unfair excuses either. But the fact is, the army runs the country. So GHQ should be prepared for the fact that if they have all the power, they have to get all the blame. Meanwhile, the outpouring of support and charity from the general public has been simply extraordinary.

I want to congratulate President Pervez Musharraf taking the bold
step of opening the LOC to facilitate meeting of people and relief
efforts across the border. I am sure this is not just statement as
usual) This is one of the greatest things that has happened for the people of Kashmir. I request the authority to allow Indian doctors who have experience of working in Gujarat earthquake and who have been requesting  constantly to volunteer themselves.