by Waleed Tariq
Karachi, Pakistan

Natural disasters have always been a hindrance in the economic and growth and development of many countries especially the third world. This year Pakistan has been hit by one of the worst floods the region has seen in over 80 years. The devastating floods have washed away entire villages affecting more than 20 million people. According to the UN, more than 2000 people have been died while 3000 homes have been destroyed or damaged. “The numbers affected in these floods are extraordinarily high, if we don’t act fast enough, many more people could die of diseases and shortages”

Recent floods have also inundated the crop producing areas, dealing a blow to the agriculture based economy. According to a UN report at least 15 Acre of crop were destroyed in Punjab alone which is the bread basket of the country. Fields in the North West Pakistan and the region of Sindh have also been destroyed as water spilled over their banks as well. Also, more than 2 million livestock have been reported to be dead and the number is on an increase on daily basis.

Rotaractors busy in collecting donations from the passers-by at Teen Talwar

Water borne diseases such as acute water diarrhea and Gastro have also become a grave concern as according to the Federal Health secretary, 36000 cases have been reported so far.

This wake of grief and sorrow has brought about the best in the Pakistani Civil Society has risen up the occasion and taken the responsibility to the flood victims. Youth organizations from all over the country have started to take part in collecting donations and the dispatch and packing of the relief supplies to the affected areas.

Rotaract club of Karachi Bay, a youth initiative under the charter of the Rotary international is one such organization which is working for this cause and letting the people of Pakistan know, the power of Youth. In order to get a better know how and understanding of the issues and problems of the flood affected areas and it’s people, the Karachi Bay team under the leadership of Mr. Aamir Butt (President, Rotary Club of Karachi Bay) first went on a survey trip to Jamshoro and Thatta after which they began their work on the basis of analysis and collection of their research data. Apart from door to door collection drives, the club had set up its 3-Day Flood Relief camp at Clifton Teen Talwar from 27th Aug – 29th. Volunteers were on the roads all three days, collecting donations from the passers-by despite of the scorching heat and their busy schedule. “We are all doing this for a selfish reason, and that reason is self satisfaction. We could be sitting at home in air conditioning leaving the work for the government or others, but why do that when we are capable enough to help our brothers and sisters ourselves? We want to help the people of Pakistan, we want Pakistan to be independent of all the debt and foreign aid and we are doing it!” said Nattasha Nisar, director International Services, Karachi Bay.

Over a span of three days, the camp managed to collect more than five hundred thousand rupees excluding other households like blankets, clothes and other food related goods that were given to them by the local neighborhood. “Our camp has gone very well. This all has been possible because of the energy and dedication of the Rotaract team. We plan to deliver the collections to the affected families in the form of food packages, as soon as possible” said Sheikh Danish Ejaz, the Club President.

Karachi Bay has also been associated with charity projects for Subha e Nau School and others in the past.
Another network ‘Seeds of education, policy and legal awareness popularly known as SEPLAA is also paying its part in the relief efforts. It is a Lahore based Think Tank is collecting items for the immediate relief of the flood victims. Their appeal has been met with generous contribution from members of every walk of the society. When asked about the efforts of SEPLAA in this time of crises, CEO of the organization, Ammara Farooq Malik responded in the following words “A lot of organizations and particularly private individuals are now trying us to help in the flood relief efforts and in this hour of need everyone needs to play their part. SEPLAA Representatives have already visited the Muzzaffargarh Camp and adjoining areas. We also have firsthand information about the conditions in Nowshera. We are now preparing to take truckloads of relief items to the Muzzaffargarh areas again within this week.”

SEPLAA has introduced a number of initiatives to help the flood affectees in the form of weekend fund drives, workshops and others. Last week they launched the ‘Recycled Water Bottle for Flood Victims Campaign’ simultaneously in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad. All that was needed was to clean the empty plastic bottles, fill them with filtered water and deliver to the affected families. The first consignment to Muzzaffargarh carrying about 200 bottles was dispatched this Saturday. This initiative has been supported by institutional representatives from different school and universities. “I have just dropped off my collection for the cleaning and filling of the bottles, will soon send them to flood affected areas in Sindh” said Waleed Tariq, SEPLAA’s institutional representative, SZABIST, Karachi.

It is important to see how the civil society of Pakistan has performed during these flood crises, however, the lesson to be learned is to devise and have in place an efficient flood control and management system to curb the damages caused. Development of the much needed Kalabagh Dam and other reservoirs shall also be considered.