‘We understand we’re not welcome here’

US pilots, have been overwhelmed by the experience of taking part in flood relief efforts in Pakistan.

PANO AQIL: More than 150 American troops of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit carried out relief and rescue missions for flood victims in Sindh all throughout Eid, in close coordination with the military from Pano Aqil cantonment area.

At least nine helicopters, including four CH-46 Sea Knights that can carry a payload up to 1.5 metric tons and five CH-53 Super Stallions with a capacity of 2.5 metric tons participated despite bad weather conditions during the operation that lasted from 7 am till sunset.

Contrary to myths prevalent among locals that heavily armed US soldiers and ‘Blackwater operatives’ have created a new base in Sindh, no US soldier was seen carrying anything apart from relief items in Pano Aqil.

In fact each relief-goods laden helicopter comprised a crew of nine people, including one Pakistan Airforce navigator who would give coordinates of the area to land the aircraft and two armed Pakistan Army soldiers who would provide security once the helicopter landed in a flood affected village.

According to a US Airforce spokesperson Joseph Allegretti, American forces are expected to fly around 30 helicopters for relief operations in Pakistan by the end of September, out of which 18 will be in Ghazi.

Commander of the US Task Force south Pakistan, Rear Admiral Sinclair Harris, who himself was participating in loading goods on the aircraft, said, “We are here at the request of the government of Pakistan and will stay on till we are asked for help.” He added that a lot of work remains to be done as thousands of people continue to be cut off in remote areas of Upper Sindh. “I expect our operations to continue till November at least,” Harris said.

Colonel Roy Osborn, who also participated in the flood relief operations in Khyber-Pakhtunkwa, said although the terrain was less difficult for helicopters to operate in Sindh, the scale of destruction was so massive that it would be challenging to reach all the affected areas. “However, as water continues to recede, it will help us in reaching more victims.”

American C-130 aircraft were also landing in Pano Aqil, some of which were bringing relief goods by the United Nations’ World Food Programme from Afghanistan. Other destinations that these aircraft were headed for included the Chaklala air base and Jacobabad airport.

American pilots, some of whom are participating for the first time in relief operations, have been overwhelmed by the experience. Pilot Alyssa Saunders said, “it’s heart-breaking to witness so many people desperate for food in this tragedy”. She hoped that the flood waters would recede soon so that the victims could be freed from their misery. “It’s also been very rewarding,” Saunders said, describing how little children and women acknowledge their contribution by smiling and waving back at her.

Pilot Mike Shull said the situation reminded him of the hurricane Katrina tragedy back home. Commenting on the security concerns while landing in villages where dozens of people rush towards the helicopter, Shull admitted, “I know that some people don’t like us and believe that we don’t belong here, which is understandable. But people like me are here just to help and will do all we can to get them through this tragedy,” he said.

The WFP relief goods are distributed as 50-kilogramme packages which contain flour and rice bags, cooking oil, high energy biscuits, mineral water and other non perishable items. However, when these goods are offloaded, a survival of the fittest game ensues.

In Gari Kharo, where two helicopters landed, desperate villagers fought and pushed each other as they tried to get a portion of the donations. Young and strong men got most of the aid, while women, children and the elderly, most of whom were unable to lift the heavy bags, were left scampering. One woman gathered rice with her bare hands from the road where a bag had been split open in the chaos.

When senior WFP officials present at Pano Aqil were asked why small family packs of relief goods were not being made that would ensure that everyone got the donated goods, they said they would look into the suggestion. One official who requested anonymity said the reason was because it would add to packaging cost and was a trade off which the organisation had been forced to take.

Meanwhile, Allegretti clarified that fuel costs for the helicopters was not part of the $250 million aid announced by the US government. “The department of defence pays for the fuel, while the aid money is separate,” he said.

He added that since August 5, American helicopters and C-130s transported more than 4.6 million lbs of relief supplies to flood affected areas. Also, more than 2.6 million lbs of supplies have been sent via Pano Aqil where operations began on September 3.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 15^th, 2010.