Devastation Strikes South Asia
An example of the devasation caused bythe massive, richter 7.6 earthquake
Pakistan, India and Afghanistan were struck with one of the region's worst ever Earth quakes a couple of day ago. Pakistan was most affected by the severe jolts that were felt across the entire Northern Region of Pakistan. The resulting death toll from the earthquake is estimated to be over 20,000 and rescue operations are in full effect. President Musharraf has declared an implicit state of emergency by sending in relief efforts and pleading for International aid to the affected region.
On October 8th, 2005, as little children innocently sat in their classrooms, women washed the dishes and prepared meals for their families, the old and the feeble rested comfortably in their houses, unaware of the terrible wrath that awaited them, disaster struck. The entire Northern region of Pakistan and the outlying areas were afflicted with one of the most devastating natural calamities in recent times, not to forget the massive earthquake that destroyed the city of Bam in Iran last year. The roof of a Pakistani school collapsed and killed 250 girls on the spot, and another 250 soldiers who were stationed in the Himalayan range were also killed. According to current estimates, approximately 20,000 people have been reported dead, while over 40,000 have been injured. Rescue operations have already begun in most parts of the affected areas, however, there are certain low-lying regions and valleys that are extremely inaccessible; firstly, due to the nature of the landscape and secondly, due to the sheer amount of rubble that has cluttered the area due to this monumental earthquake.
When last year’s Tsunami unfolded on the 26th of December, 2004, donations and aid efforts were immediately underway. Unfortunately, since the media is unable to cover the extent of the damage caused by this catastrophe, people around the world are unaware of the severe agony that the victims of this earthquake are going through at this time. Death and destruction anywhere in the world is equally saddening, but if one were to compare the death toll that resulted from hurricane ‘Katrina’ to the earthquake in South Asia, we find that the difference in significant. While the final reported death toll from Katrina was close to 1,000, the estimated dead reported within two days from the South-Asian earthquake is close to 20,000, and some reports suggest that it may be closer to 30,000. Since human life all over the world should ideally be judged equal, the amount of aid required to assist the victims of this Earthquake should be twenty to thirty times more in this case. In fact, in the case of Katrina, some early warnings were issued before obliteration struck, whereas in the case of this Earthquake, people had absolutely no information about the annihilation that was coming their way. Furthermore, the resources available at Pakistan’s disposal in comparison to the US are infinitesimal, and hence they will require much more foreign assistance.
Wealthy nations such as the US and UK have already promised assistance and conveyed their deepest condolences, but that is only a fraction of the help that these innocent people require. Kuwait and the US have pledged $100m and $50m respectively, which will mostly cover the cost of food, clean water and other supplies for 40,000 displaced people. Coping with such large scale disasters requires not only food and supplies, but monetary assistance to clear out the rubble using expensive machinery and equipment, along with funds to support temporary refugee camps and set up relief centers. Religion and culture aside, it is our duty as fellow human beings to help those affected by this terrible infliction in their time of desperation. Many of those affected by this disaster are innocent children who do not have the strength to life the heavy bricks and cement walls under which they lie in agony, helpless and hopeless. Together, we can bring them hope by donating to this generous cause. A few dollars that we spend on buying coffee, cigarettes, and snacks can be utilized for a better purpose by contributing to numerous charities and relief funds that are working day and night to help save people who are still alive and stuck underneath massive piles of rubble. I urge all of you to help out in every way possible, so that the feeling that humanity has lost hope is proven wrong.
Please help the victims of this terrible tragedy by donating generously at the following relief centers:
Edhi Foundation (Recommended)
Islamic Council of North America
Kashmir International Relief Fund
International Federation of Red Cross
OXFAM
Islamic Relief
Thank you and May God Bless you all.
4 comments:
God knows the best reason but maybe its because of the ecological changes that are caused in the earth after each astrological period OR it is an after-effect of nuclear weapons used in War which was carried out in Afghanistan.
Thanks for dropping by my blog. Good post btw. Take care.
yes azad the whole subcontinent is in a state of shock.my city was hit by the tsunami last year..and i hope just like the spontaneous aid that poured in for that disaster from all over the world this time 2 the global community will help.it is so sad that the already devastated jammu and kashmir has been so badly hit.i also hear that the areas around islamabad r badly devastated.let us hope that this disaster makes both our nations close allies.loved ur sensitive post.
Raheel, you never know. Recently there have been multiple natural disasters such as the Earthquake in Bam, the Tsunami near Aceh, Hurricane Katrina and Rita, and now the earthquake in South Asia. May God have mercy on us.
Siddhart, you're absolutely right about that. Jammu and Kashmir have were already so badly affected by the whole border clashing and the slow development in that whole region, and now, whatever little was standing has not turned in to a pile. It's just sad.
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