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Sunday, 5 September 2010
Spent the day in southern Punjab Province, one of the hardest hit areas in Pakistan. We visited an tent camp for displaced people just outside Multan. As we were driving from Multan into the rural farming communities you could see the devastation all around you. Although the flooding occured two weeks ago, and the water has receded quite a bit, most the prime crop land in this part of the country remains submerged. Despite the presence of water we passed many families returning to their homes. Buses, trucks, motorcycles and even ox carts loaded down with everything the families could pack before fleeing. It didn't seem to matter what type of vehicle it was, they are seem loaded to within an inch of bursting. unfortunately, when most of the families arrive home there won't be much they can do except set up camp on the side of the road or any high ground they can find. Even so, most people at least want to return, now that the water is receding, to see what is left of their homes and croplands. It will probably be another three to four weeks before all the water is gone, so that means another month sleeping under the stars in tents.  But it's only the lucky ones who have tents. Our journey touch us past many people lining the highway who didn't even have tents. Some simply hung a sheet or scarf on some sticks for cover. While those even less fortunate could only lean a bed or a piece of wood or tin on an angle like a lean-too to keep the sun and rain off them. It's hard to imagine living under those conditions.When we finally got to the camp I was introduced to a woman named Nazir Bibi. She is a 50 year old mother of 8. When the water came she and her husband tried to pack up as much as they could and take their children to higher ground. Unfortunately, while wading through chest deep water her husband was swept away by the floods and drowned right in front of his children. Nazir struggled to recall the recent experience. Her four year old son Kaif has hardly spoken since the incident and her 12 year old daughter Samra can't stop crying. Nazir doesn't know what the future holds. She would like to return to her house when the waters recede, but she knows it will be damaged and has no idea how she will pay to repair or rebuild it. She worries her two eldest sons will now how to find work to support the family. I wanted to hug little Haif and tell him everything would be ok, but i couldn't. I can't guarantee everything will be ok. He young life has seen so much suffering already, and it isn't going to get any easier, at least not for awhile. I showed him a picture of my two young sons and he gave me a little smile. The only time I saw him express any emotion at all. i know he will be in my prayers tonight, and for many nights to come. His is a face I won't soon forget. Thanks Brian Hatchell CBM - Emergency Communications Coordinator |
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