KARACHI: Recalling what he saw at relief camps in Sindh, the newly-appointed US Consul General in Karachi William Martin stressed the importance of helping those in need on humanitarian grounds only. “We are just here to help. We have no other motive,” he said emphatically, when asked if US’ flood relief efforts would change perceptions about Americans in Pakistan.
In an interview with The Express Tribune, Martin kept mentioning the sight of sick and frightened children. “These children were desperate for help and they were so confused because now they’re so dependent on other people,” he recalled. “I’m a father and I would hate to see my children in such a situation,” he empathised. When you see a person’s misery, you realise that we are all very similar. “The differences that we focus on, that make headlines, seem so petty.”
He described how the government of Pakistan, its people and the global community are working hand-in-hand for the sustenance of the flood survivors.
Martin clarified that the US is not working on the ground, but is funding international NGOs, such as Save The Children, Mercy Corps and the UN agencies. They are assisting the Pakistani government and the military and have programmed $200 million for the relief efforts. “We’re trying to help organise and bring in aid as quickly as possible.”
The US has brought in a disaster assistance relief team through USAID, he said, adding that they are working very closely with the National Disaster Management Authority to identify the problems and to develop programmes to assist the displaced.
But what about local NGOs? “There is a certain process needed for them to qualify [to receive the aid]. We need to see that the aid is effectively distributed by them,” he said, hinting at the ‘trust factor’. “After that process is completed, we will be using local NGOs.”
An important question was that how this $200 million is different from the $20 billion that has been spent on the war on terror. “This aid is different because there are specific needs of the people that have to be met immediately. We’re not talking about infrastructure and rebuilding yet,” he said, stressing on ‘yet’. “Right now, it’s about getting water to people, getting food to children and providing healthcare to women - specific needs to sustain lives.”
About what is the US’ long-term plan, the consul general said that when the immediate catastrophe starts to recede, they can measure the scope of the destruction. “We plan to rehabilitate families and rebuilt infrastructure,” he said, adding, “The catastrophe is still unfolding. We could make a plan today, but who knows what the extent of the devastation is tomorrow. I assure you that we will be here after that immediate need is met.”
When asked where you think the Pakistani government is lacking in the relief efforts, Martin replied diplomatically, of course. “This crisis is of such magnitude that it’s incomprehensible. Any government in the world would be challenged to meet a catastrophe of this scope, whether it is the Unites States or any other country.”
“How would you resolve something that is going on in the north and something going on in the south, all at the same time,” he went on to say. “Everyone’s doing their best, I think, to meet the needs of the people.”
Martin seemed pretty perplexed by the disaster himself. “Many people don’t seem to grasp the geographic dynamics of this catastrophe. It is so spread out. You have people wanting basic necessities, scattered across this huge area.”
He validated his point my mentioning the October 2005 earthquake in Pakistan and the recent earthquake in Haiti. Even though they (Pakistan and Haiti earthquakes) were of immense magnitude, they were rather focussed. “It’s easier when there is a focussed [affected] area which you can concentrate on and react immediately. This is the whole of Pakistan.”
From Bogota to Karachi
William Martin loves Karachi and its people. “They’re just so friendly,” he said. It has only been a month since he came to the city from Bogota, Columbia.
How does he draw the parallels between Pakistan and Columbia? “Both countries have gone through difficult times. They face similar hardships - insurgencies and law and order situations that made development a challenge.”
But like, Columbia, Martin hopes Pakistan too will emerge stronger.
“The violence in Karachi baffles me,” he said, adding, “Especially that the people who are affected are struggling to get ahead.”
It does not matter what your ethnicity or party affiliation is or how long you have lived here, it’s a struggle if you’re poor, said the consul general.
“I’m struck by the strategic location of Karachi. With all the oil money on one side and the two largest markets in the world, India and China, on the other, the city is perfectly placed to become an economic and commercial hub for Asia,” he explained, but quickly added the most important bit, “It just needs security and that comes through the rule of law.”
The new consulate building
The consul general said they had plans to move in the beginning of the next year. “Every construction project in the world tends to slip its timing. I cannot give you a particular date because that is part of a lengthy bureaucratic process.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 28th, 2010.
COMMENTS (3)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ