A Time To Cry For Help – Pakistan Flood Aftermath, et al
I was just starting my working career in my early tweens when I was given the privilege to embark on my first solo official trip abroad. It was a three-month stay for a short course jointly offered by the Pakistan Government and its State Bank. The venue was in the heart of Karachi, Pakistan’s financial and commercial capital. Despite the apprehensions about the situation and being a newbie in a foreign land, it was not difficult for me to adjust because of the warm welcome and genuine hospitality that the Bank’s management and staff have accorded us for the duration of the course study. Together with the participants from developing economies, we had the opportunity to visit other major cities and places of Pakistan, including Peshawar and its nearby areas, which were among the flood-seriously hit regions recently.
The said short course fostered remarkable moments in my life, as it taught me how to be more independent, being away from home for the first time, and most importantly it provided me new perspectives and gained international friends from all walks of professional lives. I wish I could have commenced my blogging activities years ago , just to let them know how my stay in Pakistan influenced my views about life as a whole.
When I heard news about the recent Pakistan flood and other tragic stories happening in any parts of the world for that matter, be it fortuitous or not, it makes me sad. It urges me to do something, to reach out but could not, due to reasons beyond my control, except for my silent prayers for the victims. I thought the monetary and non monetary contributions could be best left to the richer governments like the United States, philanthropists like Bill Gates and credible organizations like the United Nations (UN) whose degree of influences would be far greater than mine.
Now that I’m part of the blogosphere community, I thought this is a right venue for me to make noise and encourage people to respond to the impassioned plea of the Pakistan Government, for immediate help and increase emergency aid, and of other countries stricken with natural catastrophes. This could be my way of returning the goodness once received from good- natured people, to echo the cry for help for all mankind so it can be seen and heard in every corner of the globe, especially by the privileged few, those who have all the luxuries in life, from billionaires down to the common people, who can afford to give, even if it hurts.
The recent flood in Pakistan as shown in the web and tri-media was harrowing and heart wrenching. It affected more or less 20 million people and 1,600 dead. The UN as a matter of fact considered this as a global disaster, a global challenge, and has appraised the said calamity as the “greatest humanitarian crisis in recent history”. It was ironic that said deluge happened just 5 days before the celebration of the World Humanitarian Day. As such, the incident has even doubly increased the current workloads and efforts of the international aid workers who have been patiently dealing with such charitable causes.
In its initial assessment of the Pakistan flood damage, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) reported that more than 800,000 houses have been damaged, 80,000 livestock have perished and 2 million hectares of crops have been destroyed, depriving the people of their livelihood and eventually posing a threat to the country’s food security. Additionally, more than 2,500 schools, 175 health centers, and 1,000 water supply facilities and power supply and distribution have been damaged. Vital infrastructures like roads and bridges have been broken, paralyzing other regions of the country.
We all know that Pakistan is no rich country. It is one of the nations where the gap between the rich and the poor is fast widening. World Bank reports show that a number of Pakistanis fall below the poverty line and live in villages, majority of whom were affected by the recent flood which devastated the country’s already fragile economy. Prior to the calamity, poverty, health, education, unemployment are already among the principal problems in its society. We could just imagine how would these poor people be able to get up all the more from the bad effects of the recent disaster without the help of the “luckier” ones from within and outside the counry’s perimeters, so to speak.
This call is not yet too late. It is just about time. It is not my responsibility alone, but all of us, regardless of race or creed, to spread the call for help as the people affected are just starting to pick up the pieces in view of the adverse outcome of the deluge.
Some have managed to retrieve their personal belongings and equipment covered with mud and people who have been homeless are now staying in tents in other districts.
They neither have land to till, crops to harvest, nor livestock to tend for personal or business purposes as the same have been washed away and drowned. Majority of the people have no food to eat and are presently depending on food donations from large organizations but it’s just not enough. These organizations have likewise to allocate part of their resources for other countries faced with similar situations.
This call for help is for all of us to take part in the cause of large organizations which have been there to assist in these times of crisis, not only in Pakistan but in other places as well, for humanitarian purposes. This call is just timely and opportune to coincide with the World Humanitarian Day celebrated this month. There are several ways and means to heed this call and it is just a matter of time and priority. Various credible and legitimate organizations are likewise available 24/7 on the web to receive donations. We don’t have to be super duper rich to help those organizations already on the ground. A cent, a dollar or more donations, if combined together with large contributions and if put to good use and managed well would definitely give impact on a person’s life, especially those in need of food, clean water, basic sanitation and healthcare or to people living in emergency crisis like that of Pakistan.
As I’ve mentioned in my previous blog, there is happiness in giving than there is in receiving, particularly in helping the poor. It isn’t what we have or who we are that makes us happy, it is the good things that we do, give or share with someone , whether big or small, that makes our faces and hearts glow and that’s the best gift that we could receive in return. So, let’s make a difference now! Help and Give! It is truly a rewarding experience!
Note:
Your feedback on this would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!
Making the world is humanity’s leading mission, with consumers like you writing these kinds of gorgeous issue we could ultimately do it, transfer ahead the way God had taught as on his bible.
Keep up the good work. This topic serves as a reminder for heads of Government especially in struggling economies to be ever ready in times of fortuitous events, so as not to give bad impression like inefficiency and all. This post is worthwhile to read. I just hope everybody should take the time to publish posts pretty much as good as this one and not saturate the web with nothing..!
Congratulations, you’ve got the most efficient blogs! I admire your passion-finding time blogging and helping other people through your blog. It’s true I feel good when I help someone and I absolutely agree to what you’ve said. This is certainly a must-read blog!
Indeed grateful for your generosity supporting women who are in dire need of help, particularly in times of calamities and related unfortunate events. Your very own dedication to passing the message up and down thru your web came to be astonishingly practical and has constantly made some individuals just like me to also extend help and attain their dreams. Your amazing interesting recommendations means a whole lot to me. Your blog helped and thanks a lot.
This is actually unique, Such a truly savy blogger with a purpose! Helping poor people is something worth considering especially if you have the luxuries to spend and give. I am joining you in this call for help so as to spread the message to others via blogging. I just wish you’ll be blessed for the good deed you’ve done.
Thank you so much Maris!
This is nice post. I admire what you have done here, returning a good deed previously received. Such a nice gesture!
I love your blog. Really
Thank you for your site post. I have already been saving to at least share what we have to victims of calamities and the disadvantaged. We no longer entertain doubts about the idea of helping people in need; rather a responsibility in our part. The article was not only enlightening but the whole site actually is also of help.Thanks.
Thank you all for the suggestions and appreciations. Love you all!
Should there be further queries/clarifications, please feel free to email me (personal or not) at myusefultips @yahoo.com or info@myusefultips.com.
I love this site, it is really great. This particular write up serves as a reminder for all of us to share of what we have and offer help to those in need.
I simply appreciate you yet again. Not sure if some of your colleagues would have done the same thing as you did….reaching out to the Government and express any support to the best of their ability. Nevertheless, this blog showed your intention to help and it managed to get the message across in such a professional demeanor which was delightful. I’m just thankful for the information.
I seriously love your website style, very smart. Great reading as well!
New broom sweeps clean.
Thanks, got what u mean, but “old broom knows the corners!”
This absolutely helped me mainly because I’m carrying out a venture and your website is simply up that alley. Thank you and continue on to keep up the good performance.
I think you wrote a few interesting and important facts in here. Of course, there are some things which show your own point of view which can be argued, but still, thanks for that contribution. I would love to read some more articles related to this subject. Hopefully, I am not the only one giving you the respect for your blogging business. So far, keep on writing, I will surely visit your site again.
Wonderful resource.I really liked your web-site
Fascinating. I want to hear the opinions of industry experts on this issue:)
Jim..of rap beats, industry experts opinion don’t matter in times of calamities.
What is imperative is the real action from them, in the field.
Their opinion on this blog? Oh, yes why not. They are always welcome to shed light
on the subject, with open arms. I doubt it tho, if they’ll oblige…they are busy commenting
in other hi-profile news blogs.
Thanks, by the way.
I seriously like your weblog very significantly
Thank you for sharing this amazing internet site.
Yes, we can respond to their cry for help, but how about this world crisis,that never ends?
Excellent
Our friends told me about your blog post, I do think it is quite beautifully done! Good work.
Thanks Tyson for your kind remarks! I wish we could write something about your advocacies in the future.
Keep on goin’!
I really loved this interesting blog. You should keep it up. Best Regards …
This is an awesome post with some unique opinions to contemplate. Thank you for expressing your thoughts with us.
Love your blog.
hello, quite unique piece of writing. Whilst I simply have actually a dissimilar view and methodology the article was basically interesting to learn
Have you thought on writing an article about the relationship between Pakistan and India? By the way your information is great!
You have made an incredible weblog! I really hope you stick to the good job. I absolutely enjoy your articles.
Howdy.This write-up had been highly exceptional, it really makes a difference! Great Weekend.
Like with everything, it is allways about how do you handle the things. Different people, different opinions. That is what makes an interesting discussion. All the best!
Yes, this blog doesn’t earn anything, not a single cent.
Not even from the previous one, since day 1.
It was all a cozenage, an adscam in layman’s parlance! 🙁
But the blog is still determined to go on and
will survive, despite all ….
Got your point, keep it up. Thanks and all the best for creating it. I’m a fan. Maintain the level of quality.
Just a few blogger would likely discuss this particular matter how you do…..
Great word of advice Mundschenk729 but everything has already been provided 🙂 Thanks anyway!
Thank you smokey for your comments. Just found it hovering around this place. Apologies for not recognizing it at once.
You guys helped in one way or another.
I won’t comment on what others say about this article. The fact that you tried to help the victims by calling everyone to show support to Pakistan Government to rebuild its people’s lives is something worth noting.
Hi there, I read your blogs reǥularly. But this particular one carried more weight as I was born in Karachi currently living in London. Thanks for this.
Keep doing what you’re doing, your writing style is awesome too!
Interesting points of view.