Pakistan: An insider’s look at the quake
DR. FOUZIA SAEED-who was in Islamabad, Pakistan at the time of the earthquake-is an expert in social development issues. She has worked throughout Pakistan with national and international organizations, the United Nations and civil society groups.
NetAid: Speaking as someone close to the disaster, what are the greatest challenges to delivering aid to areas affected by the earthquake?
Dr. Saeed: The rural inhabitants of the hills in Pakistan have a tradition of living far away from one another, not like the plains where houses are clustered together in villages. Therefore, it is not as if roads can take you to people’s homes; there is a lot of hiking involved. In other words, it is not so much as the relief goods as getting them to people which is the biggest challenge.
NetAid: What are the new challenges now as opposed to several weeks ago, when the quake first struck?
Dr. Saeed: Firstly, it is caring for the injured. Hospitals are overflowing and camps in the mountainous areas do not have enough medical supplies. Secondly, the approaching winter requires people to get some shelter immediately. Rebuilding homes would not happen quickly. Thirdly, there have been more than 900 aftershocks, which meaure as high as 6.0 on the Richter Scale, and they are bringing down more buildings.
NetAid: What is the feeling on the ground in Pakistan outside of the affected areas?
Dr. Saeed: People in Pakistan have shown tremendous spirit in helping out. Trucks of relief goods are pouring into the affected areas from every corner of the country. People have come up with innovative ideas to help out. We have never seen the whole country working together in such an amazing manner.
NetAid: Less than 30% of the UN’s appeal for relief funds has been met. Why, in your opinion, has the South Asian earthquake failed to elicit the same generous response as the tsunami or Katrina?
Dr. Saeed: Leading up to the disaster, there were several other significant disasters and calls for help, like Katrina and the famines in Africa. These multiple demands put a great deal of stress on donor countries and individuals.
NetAid: For young people in the U.S. who are reading this interview, what role can they play in responding to this catastrophe?
Dr. Saeed: They should contribute to the relief efforts and learn how communities respond to these disasters. Although these catastrophes bring a lot of destruction-they also bring opportunities for societies to building solidarity and strength.
NetAid: Even before the earthquake, Pakistan had some of the lowest levels of education in the world-something the earthquake will only worsen. In reconstruction, what are three improvements you would to help Pakistan improve its schools?
Dr. Saeed: New schools should be built stronger and closer to the rural population. We need better-trained teachers who are more capable of delivering quality education. And students should have civic education to help connect them with the greater community of our country.
