For humanitarian Todd Shea, every relief effort matters

We shouldn't see our success against what is needed, we have to look at each individual we can help, Shea says.


Web Desk June 13, 2013
We shouldn't see our success against what is needed, we have to look at each individual we can help: Shea PHOTO: TODD SHEA FACEBOOK PAGE

Seven years ago, Todd Shea landed in Pakistan to help the earthquake-hit people of Muzaffarabad and adjoining areas just for a couple of weeks. However, his stay extended from weeks to months and then years.

Shea – a musician, father and humanitarian - founded Comprehensive Disaster Response Services (CDRS) to help the affected people of the northern region in 2005. His services later on benefited flood victims and internally-displaced people.

Explaining his dedication towards serving the people of this foreign land, Shea said during his initial days in the country, he saw the side of Pakistan which was rarely presented to the rest of the world.

Emphasising that every effort counts, Shea said the population is growing day by day and the number of people he can help is just a drop in the ocean but he said: “we should not see our success against the backdrop of what is needed because then we will rip our hair out in frustration. We have to look at each individual we can help.”
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This film is part of Pakistan Calling,  www.thersa.org/pkcalling  a UK and Pakistan project by  www.thersa.org and thesamosa.co.uk   please visit www.thersa.org/pkcalling  for more films on Pakistani civil society organisations, social entrepreneurs and individuals www.thersa.org/pkcalling - The RSA and The Samosa launched www.thersa.org/pkcalling to promote constructive cross-cultural dialogue between Britain and Pakistan. Show your support by watching the film.

COMMENTS (7)

US CENTCOM | 11 years ago | Reply

Contrary to the popular believes in Pakistan that Americans hate their country, the truth is that majority of Americans don’t! Some like, Todd Shea, has spent much time in Pakistan working for underprivileged Pakistanis and promoting Pak-U.S. friendship. I know of another American who is a writer from Seattle, Ethan Casey, who traveled through the U.S last year promoting his two books on positive Pakistan and talking about the country and its people.

America is a beautiful country and its people have the most generous hearts. They are the first to open their pockets to help others in crises and disasters. As an American of Pakistani origin, I have experienced firsthand the generosity during Pakistan’s recent earthquakes and floods. You would be surprise that according to www.cgdev.org, only through private donations last year America sent over two billion dollars to Pakistan and this is apart from any USAID or U.S. government assistance. All I say is that you need to look beyond headlines and sensational news and you will find ordinary Americans who love humanity.

Abdul Quddus DET-United States Central Command

Pervaiz Lodhie | 11 years ago | Reply

Todd, Always ZABARDAST work you have been doing in Pakistan for years. Keep up the great work. The world need many more like you. You are a very blessed human being.

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