Adil Najam
These pictures were two days ago (on December 3, 2010). The top two are near Sehwan, the bottom picture is near Manchar. Both in Sindh.
Lest we forget, or lest the titilations of WikiLeaks turns all of us into armchair analysts, too many of those who were left devastated, destitute and displaced by the Great Flood still remain devastated, destitute and displaced.
Some may think that the floods is ‘old news’ with nearly four months having passed. But for more than one million who still remain displaced and in need of ’emergency aid’ and the many millions more who are scrapping to pick up the pieces of their lives, this is a story of daily struggles and daily disasters. The pictures below are from the displaced who are struggling with new challenges at the approach of winter in Nowshehra. These three pictures were taken yesterday; on December 4, 2010.
I understand that all of us are now far more occupied in unraveling the great problems of geopolitics but let us please not forget the difference that each one of us could make if only we wanted to make that difference. After all, ghar tou aakhir appna hai:
Thank you Adil, from the depths of my heart
I am ashamed to say that I am also guilty of having forgotten. The spicy news and scandals is too enticing. But you know what, I can do nothing about those things except gossip, but for the flood victims I can actually do something, and I will.
Thank you for highlighting this.
And let us not forget, the unprecedented, unpretentious, unlimited, sacrifice echoed by Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, “The Law Abiding” Minister of Finance, Revenue, Economic Affairs, Statistics, & Planning and Development, Government of Pakistan, in his clarion statement: “Personally speaking, I am in favour of taxing the rich, but the Constitution does not allow the federal government to do so because it is a provincial subject”.
Any news on the commission setup to find out the breaking points that caused the “great flooding”?
ATP, I will continue to protest the use of children as props. When displayed without their families as in two of the above, they fall below the standards of journalism.
Pakistanis should not lower the standards for Pakistanis.
My standard is simple, if you do not want to show your son or daughter in a picture likes this, one should not do it to a poor person’s child just the same.
These pictures would not be published in Boston, Chicago, Princeton or Berkley. They need not occupy space at ATP.
Could ATP please do a post with a list of who the best organisations to give to are at this point in the rebuilding efforts. I think some of the relief organizations may not longer be the best places to give to now.