Flood rehab: A miracle seems likelier than government’s help
Much of the agricultural land in the village was taken away by the flood waters.
SWAT:
Tirat Madyan Village awaits some kind of miracle for the rehabilitation and restoration of the agricultural land it lost in the 2010 floods.
Located along the bank of Swat River, Tirat is some 50 kilometres from Mingora. The village was entirely dependent on agriculture before floods swept away large swathes of agricultural land, depriving thousands of people of their means of livelihood. The floods also destroyed almost 300 houses and infrastructure in the village. Nine months later, the area remains totally neglected by the government.
Madyan Qomi Jirga President Haji Shah Karam Mian expressed serious concern over the government’s failure to help restore the livelihood of the people.
“The July 2010 floods not only destroyed almost 80 per cent of our houses but also washed away our agricultural lands. Despite the provincial and federal governments’ high claims, no help has been extended to us,” he said.
Shah Khan, a resident of the village and General Secretary of Madyan Qomi Jirga, told The Express Tribune, “We are not only repeatedly neglected in the relief activities but also in the Watan Cards scheme, which are distributed on the basis of nepotism and favouritism.”
“At least our agricultural lands and irrigation channels should be restored so that we can start earning for our families,” he added.
Another local warned, “We strongly condemn the injustices of the provincial government and demand that Tirat Village be restored [to its former condition].
Houses should be reconstructed and lands should be restored. Otherwise we will come out on the roads against these injustices.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 13th, 2011.
Tirat Madyan Village awaits some kind of miracle for the rehabilitation and restoration of the agricultural land it lost in the 2010 floods.
Located along the bank of Swat River, Tirat is some 50 kilometres from Mingora. The village was entirely dependent on agriculture before floods swept away large swathes of agricultural land, depriving thousands of people of their means of livelihood. The floods also destroyed almost 300 houses and infrastructure in the village. Nine months later, the area remains totally neglected by the government.
Madyan Qomi Jirga President Haji Shah Karam Mian expressed serious concern over the government’s failure to help restore the livelihood of the people.
“The July 2010 floods not only destroyed almost 80 per cent of our houses but also washed away our agricultural lands. Despite the provincial and federal governments’ high claims, no help has been extended to us,” he said.
Shah Khan, a resident of the village and General Secretary of Madyan Qomi Jirga, told The Express Tribune, “We are not only repeatedly neglected in the relief activities but also in the Watan Cards scheme, which are distributed on the basis of nepotism and favouritism.”
“At least our agricultural lands and irrigation channels should be restored so that we can start earning for our families,” he added.
Another local warned, “We strongly condemn the injustices of the provincial government and demand that Tirat Village be restored [to its former condition].
Houses should be reconstructed and lands should be restored. Otherwise we will come out on the roads against these injustices.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 13th, 2011.