No CNIC, no aid?

The issue of ‘identity’ has added to the miseries of the earthquake victims.

A serious issue pertaining to identity cards has surfaced in Awaran. Computerised National Identity Cards (CNIC) are the only thing that can help bring aid to the worst-affected families. Government aid and help from NGOs, both require CNICs as those who come to help count the number of people present and then ask for their identity cards. The destruction wrought by the earthquake was huge. People lost everything they had — some lost loved ones while some are left with injured family members. But the issue of ‘identity’ has added to their miseries. “Isn’t it enough that we have nothing left, now we have even lost our identity?” asked a man, while keeping trembling hands over his five-year-old daughter. “I need my CNIC badly now more than ever. I had everything when I had it and I have nothing now when it has been lost.” Most people kept their CNICs hidden in iron trunks and rarely did anyone keep them in their pockets — that was done mostly when they went out of town. Many people didn’t even remember where they saw their CNICs last before the quake hit!

The elders of the area are now busy advising everybody to start searching for their CNICs as soon as possible. An elder addresses over two dozen persons and reminds them: “I told you to visit the NADRA office. Didn’t I tell you about the importance of your CNICs?”

It seems that we are now living in a system where a piece of plastic and paper is more important than a human being. It confirms one’s caste and creed, area, culture, but not their pain. The CNIC shouldn’t be a prerequisite for receiving relief and rehabilitation. If people have it, fine; but if they don’t have it, that should be fine, too.

If the CNIC is absolutely necessary, then NADRA mobile vans should be sent to Awaran. It can take about a week to issue the cards for over 124,000 persons. Also, it must be ensured that similar problems shouldn’t arise again, anywhere, when disaster strikes. We should prioritise relief and rehabilitation, not the identities of those who suffer.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 9^th, 2013.