It is frightening to be left alone when help is urgently needed. Just imagine being stuck down a deep hole, with people standing by, but none of them willing to throw down a rope or do anything, more than look on impassively. Yet this is exactly the situation Pakistan finds itself in. There has been virtually no response at all, to a UN call for $357 million in aid to help flood victims trapped in a flood that the prime minister now concedes could be as bad as that which hit last year. The UN appeal for funds is intended to help desperate people who have received too little help.
It seems though, there is a reluctance on the part of the donors to help out this time. The Punjab Governor, Latif Khosa, told a press conference in Lahore that the international community was unwilling to help, unless third party audits and complete transparency was put in place. In other words, there has been a refusal to hand over even a single cent to Islamabad. People are suffering because of the lack of credibility of the government and the experiences of the previous year. Similar fears about accountability, in the misuse of funds, had been voiced after the 2005 Kashmir earthquake — but it seems there has been no attempt to learn from that. What we are seeing now is the direct outcome of such negligence. All that has been offered so far is a paltry $4.7 million from China and a more generous $100 million from Iran. But this will not take us very far. What this means for people is more suffering, more misery, more disease. This is obviously distressing. But what is even more disturbing is the standing of Pakistan in the world; it has been deemed an outcast, a pariah nation, a country no one is willing to stand by. The results could be devastating — now and in the future. We need to assess how we reached this state of affairs and, most importantly, how we can in the future persuade our friends in the world community to assist us in our time of need. Of course, the ideal situation would be if we didn’t have to seek external help at all.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 20th, 2011.
COMMENTS (8)
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Welcome to a harsh reality. Where are all those "China is an all-weather friend" posters now??
The "enemy's" aid package in 2010 -- $150 million plus invaluable aircraft, bridges, equipment and hardware offers.
The "friend's" offer in 2011 -- $4.7 million.
Nuff said...
"Of course, the ideal situation would be if we didn’t have to seek external help at all." I beg to differ. Ideal situations would be to know that we have friends whom we can count on during natural calamities. That will give you mental and moral strength to survive. Help is not necessarily in terms of money and you cannot buy everything with money, if the seller does not want to sell u things u want to buy., Pakistanis should introspect why such a fate has befallen on them that has left them without a shoulder to lean on.
The World is not indifferent to giving Aid but wants to know for what purpose and the controls on diversion of Funds elsewhere. That citizens who are very rich avoid paying Taxes also roils International donors. Add to this the fact that some of the Aid funds find their way to the Taliban or terror outfits may also put off a few. Accountability and Audit procedures have to be strengthened for donors to feel positively inclined.
I wonder, how many editorials ET has to publish to turnaround the state which is in dire straits and adamant to face ground realities. Though, good job Editors and keep trying.
Pity - it is the Poor who has to suffer for the Grandiose "Strategic Assets" Policy... as a result of which Pakistan's reputation has been so tarnished that no one wants to be associated with it.....
Would you give money to someone who misused your prior contributions, had granted sanctuary to terrorist, and is accused of hiding OBL? Didn't think so.
I personally wanted to help these victims but I dont want to send a penny to them through Pak Govt. Just yesterday it was reported that the police arrested five persons and recovered huge quantity of stolen relief goods sent by a foreign country for flood affectees of last year. The area residents told police that Provincial Disaster Management Cell (PDMC) personnel were involved in large scale corruption in relief goods items. Everyone knows the extent of corruption in Pakistan nowadays and its not shocking that none of the countries are willing to throw down a rope or do anything