POST DISASTER PLANNING?
PREVENT THE DISASTER AFTER THE CALAMITY
By
Moin Ansari
The Pakistani nation and the American Pakistani has risen up and is working to rebuild Pakistan. Reams of eulogies written about the spirit of volunteerism will not be enough to describe the effort that was put together to fill up entire warehouses. Each and every Pakistani and Pakistani American has been helping. Disasters have a life cycle. We have moved beyond the rescue, are now in the relief and should be moving into the rehabilitation soon.
According to disaster experts, we have to watch the life-cycle of disasters:
disaster-before-the disaster, (lack of preparedness)
then there is the disaster, and then there is (lack of planning)
the-disaster-after-the-disaster (lack of vision, preparedness, and planning)
Pakistan has faced the first two. Today we are moving towards the post-disaster issues. I was watching Imran Khan last night on one of the best TV shows on Television (Capital Talk with Hamid Mir). Imran Khan emphasized harnessing the spirit de corps and spirit of our youth volunteers into a formal structure. I suggested it in my last note. We could possibly emulate Peace Corps.
As the government of Pakistan gets its legs and the government reemerges in Muzaffarabad, we will begin setting up "tent cities". According to news reports:
Land measuring more than 400 kanals near Haripur has been identified as one of the better sites for setting up a tent city to accommodate quake affected families but one question that is agitating the minds is whether the villagers from far-off places such as Balakot, Kaghan, Garhi Habibullah, Bakot, Jabori, Battagram and Allai valley in the NWFP would be willing to leave their mountain abodes and live in a small tent in unfamiliar surroundings.
Chief minister Akram Durrani and his ministers have identified Haripur as a comparatively better place for establishing the tent city owing to a host of reasons. A major reason was its moderate and bearable winter climate compared to the colder Abbottabad and Mansehra districts. Kohra Mera in Abbottabad along with Havelian have also been mentioned as possible sites for the proposed tent cities.
As the "tent cities" go up, we have to be cognizant of various factors.
The tents will not last through the winter.
Putting up quake affectees in tents for longer periods appears unrealistic
We have to prepare for the dissolution of the tents. I did some research, and discovered that most of the tents being sent will not provide protection from the elements. We have to find innovative and creative solutions. One such solution is offered by Nader Khilil who was awarded the prestigious Agha Khan Award and has been providing California-code-approved earthquake proof temporary housing solutions to the tsunami victims or India and Indonesia, but also to Siberia, Guatimala. An emergency structure can be put up on two days. It is very low cost and used mud, barbed wire, sandbags, lime and some cement. Volunteers can be trained in a matter of days. A complete video program is available from the website of http://www.earthlight.org/khalili_interview.html
AJMA is partnering with a dedicated team to transfer the technology to Pakistan and provide mentoring to a team of volunteers to build the "Rumi Pods". We are seeking volunteers to help us prevent the disaster after the calamity.
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
THE TSUNAMI AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE
THE TSUNAMI AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE
By
Moin Ansari
The tsunami is the direct result of, and an after effect of an underwater earthquake. This consummates nature’s contrivance and creates the consequences that are felt ubiquitously. As the earth moves, the waves swell up and eliminate everything in their path. The tsunami, after the earthquake moves faster than a jetliner, at hundreds of miles per hour, and forges ahead ruthlessly, a wall of destruction, and devastation. All coastal cities are targets. It does not discriminate. The only escape is to get to high ground.
There is a "tsunami" brewing in the Himalayas!
The world’s tepid response to the agony of the Pakistan is generating a stealth tsunami of deep resentment. and profound exasperation. As people discover the lack or international response, the anger against the apathetic world will germinate and grow not only in the tent cities of Azad Kashmir, but also the slums of Nottingham, the streets of Leeds, and the devastated textile factories of Bradford.
The "tsunami" of indignation will permeate in the poverty-stricken cities and villages of South Asia, and the Middle East. This "tsunami" will provide fodder to the insurgency in Afghanistan and Iraq. Unless the world wakes up form its slumber, this tsunami will be more devastating to the world because it will be fertilized by the worst evil-doers on the planet.
The international media has refused to cover the Pakistani catastrophe in detail. The BBC, CNN, and Voice of America, which had long monopolized South Asian information, are fast becoming irrelevant in this part of the world. Pakistan is no longer dependent on scraps of news doled out by the world media. With 35 TV channels and hundreds of papers, Pakistanis are seeing the scale of the disaster on local channels. Pakistan society has come together as never before. It is being called the "new nationalism." Within four days 25,000 troops were moved to rebuild broken down bridges and roads. The army and corps of volunteers from all sections of society are working together like a team. "Tent factories" are now creating 5000 tents per day to try to eliminate the dearth of tents. This energy will propel it to different heights in self-reliance. From the ashes of Muzzafarhgarh and Balkot and Bagh, the phoenix will rise.
The earthquake may have buried the story of Pakistan being listed as a target on the axis of evil, but this story will resurface. In the streets of Karachi and Baghdad, this was always known. In the wake of the taped transcript of President Bush in which he named Pakistan and Saudi Arabia next on the list after Iraq, the shell-shocked Pakistani nation is watching with great patience. As soon as the shell shock is over, and some of the people are settled, there will be deep introspection of Pakistani priorities and the world’s response to the quake. The value of American lives in America is known to all. The successful rescue of stranded victims in New Orleans, and Missouri was surely a great advertisement of the efficacy of Bell choppers. Today the dearth of helicopters, and the reluctance of powers who own the helicopters to lend them to Pakistan, is the main logistical challenge faced by rescuers in Pakistan.
Maj. General Farooq Ahmad, the newly appointed Commissioner of Relief Operation, calls the $350 million as peanuts. He was polite but complained about the lack of choppers made available to Pakistan. Pakistan was under multiple embargoes for a decade. The lack of transportation is the direct result of those embargoes. While General Dynamics 75 F-16s may do much for the security of the nation, it is Bell Helicopters, which will be receiving the next "flash" "peoples purchase order" for the acquisition of hundreds of helicopters. This procurement will retire the 7 decrepit machines that are presently owned by Pakistan today.
Five million Palestinians starving in refugee camps germinated the PLO and the PFLP. 3.5 million Afghans in camps created the "Talibaan". Kashmiris are already armed, and trained. They are already incensed at the occupation of Kashmir by India. 700,000 Indian troops were unable keep the Kashmiris down. This is the second time the Kashmirs have been displaced. 200,000 homes have been destroyed. How will these houses be rebuilt? Five million Azad Kashmiris in tent cities, supported by 150 million Pakistanis will make India’s "cross border terrorism" seem like a picnic! It is for this reason that Indian glee over devastation in Pakistani Kashmir was short lived. The Indians fully realized that homeless, hungry, and dislocated Kashmiris could not be good for anyone.
Right after Katrina and Rita, one newspaper said that it is "as if Osama Bin Laden was controlling the weather." An earthquake just hit Azad Kashmir and dislocated five million people. Osama Bin Laden could not have asked for a better present for his recruiting drive. There is early evidence that banned groups, and fundamentalist groups are organizing huge relief operations. Their substantial influence in the tent cities will be responsible for the radicalization of millions of homeless and hungry Kashmiris.
God Help us prevent this tsunami!
By
Moin Ansari
The tsunami is the direct result of, and an after effect of an underwater earthquake. This consummates nature’s contrivance and creates the consequences that are felt ubiquitously. As the earth moves, the waves swell up and eliminate everything in their path. The tsunami, after the earthquake moves faster than a jetliner, at hundreds of miles per hour, and forges ahead ruthlessly, a wall of destruction, and devastation. All coastal cities are targets. It does not discriminate. The only escape is to get to high ground.
There is a "tsunami" brewing in the Himalayas!
The world’s tepid response to the agony of the Pakistan is generating a stealth tsunami of deep resentment. and profound exasperation. As people discover the lack or international response, the anger against the apathetic world will germinate and grow not only in the tent cities of Azad Kashmir, but also the slums of Nottingham, the streets of Leeds, and the devastated textile factories of Bradford.
The "tsunami" of indignation will permeate in the poverty-stricken cities and villages of South Asia, and the Middle East. This "tsunami" will provide fodder to the insurgency in Afghanistan and Iraq. Unless the world wakes up form its slumber, this tsunami will be more devastating to the world because it will be fertilized by the worst evil-doers on the planet.
The international media has refused to cover the Pakistani catastrophe in detail. The BBC, CNN, and Voice of America, which had long monopolized South Asian information, are fast becoming irrelevant in this part of the world. Pakistan is no longer dependent on scraps of news doled out by the world media. With 35 TV channels and hundreds of papers, Pakistanis are seeing the scale of the disaster on local channels. Pakistan society has come together as never before. It is being called the "new nationalism." Within four days 25,000 troops were moved to rebuild broken down bridges and roads. The army and corps of volunteers from all sections of society are working together like a team. "Tent factories" are now creating 5000 tents per day to try to eliminate the dearth of tents. This energy will propel it to different heights in self-reliance. From the ashes of Muzzafarhgarh and Balkot and Bagh, the phoenix will rise.
The earthquake may have buried the story of Pakistan being listed as a target on the axis of evil, but this story will resurface. In the streets of Karachi and Baghdad, this was always known. In the wake of the taped transcript of President Bush in which he named Pakistan and Saudi Arabia next on the list after Iraq, the shell-shocked Pakistani nation is watching with great patience. As soon as the shell shock is over, and some of the people are settled, there will be deep introspection of Pakistani priorities and the world’s response to the quake. The value of American lives in America is known to all. The successful rescue of stranded victims in New Orleans, and Missouri was surely a great advertisement of the efficacy of Bell choppers. Today the dearth of helicopters, and the reluctance of powers who own the helicopters to lend them to Pakistan, is the main logistical challenge faced by rescuers in Pakistan.
Maj. General Farooq Ahmad, the newly appointed Commissioner of Relief Operation, calls the $350 million as peanuts. He was polite but complained about the lack of choppers made available to Pakistan. Pakistan was under multiple embargoes for a decade. The lack of transportation is the direct result of those embargoes. While General Dynamics 75 F-16s may do much for the security of the nation, it is Bell Helicopters, which will be receiving the next "flash" "peoples purchase order" for the acquisition of hundreds of helicopters. This procurement will retire the 7 decrepit machines that are presently owned by Pakistan today.
Five million Palestinians starving in refugee camps germinated the PLO and the PFLP. 3.5 million Afghans in camps created the "Talibaan". Kashmiris are already armed, and trained. They are already incensed at the occupation of Kashmir by India. 700,000 Indian troops were unable keep the Kashmiris down. This is the second time the Kashmirs have been displaced. 200,000 homes have been destroyed. How will these houses be rebuilt? Five million Azad Kashmiris in tent cities, supported by 150 million Pakistanis will make India’s "cross border terrorism" seem like a picnic! It is for this reason that Indian glee over devastation in Pakistani Kashmir was short lived. The Indians fully realized that homeless, hungry, and dislocated Kashmiris could not be good for anyone.
Right after Katrina and Rita, one newspaper said that it is "as if Osama Bin Laden was controlling the weather." An earthquake just hit Azad Kashmir and dislocated five million people. Osama Bin Laden could not have asked for a better present for his recruiting drive. There is early evidence that banned groups, and fundamentalist groups are organizing huge relief operations. Their substantial influence in the tent cities will be responsible for the radicalization of millions of homeless and hungry Kashmiris.
God Help us prevent this tsunami!
WORLD CONSCIENCE ASLEEP? Pathetic international response to 3 million brown Pakistani quake victims!
WORLD CONSCIENCE ASLEEP?
Pathetic international response to 3 million brown Pakistani quake victims!
by
MOIN ANSARI
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/101705S.shtml
The internal Pakistani response to the quake has been heroic, superhuman, and "goose bump" stuff of which legends are made of. The fantastic spirit of volunteerism is a case study for the "Harvard Business Review". Within 15 minutes of the falling of the Margala towers, the police and hundreds of good Samaritans were there scraping at the rubble with their bare hands. Within 2 hours the president and the Prime Minster were helping at the site. Hordes of volunteers are collecting supplies from every nook and corner of Pakistan. From dusk to dawn the air force flew 800 sorties, a world record. The mudslide prone, destroyed roads to the most inaccessible areas have been rebuilt several times, and today there are mountains of relief supplies in the remotest of the remote areas in Kashmir manned by thousands of troops and volunteers. Today more than 100,000 Pakistani troops are fanning out in the mountains of Azad Kashmir looking to help Pakistanis.
The international response to the Pakistani quake has been atrocious. The Pakistani state machinery is too polite and too overwhelmed to say anything except "thank you". They are grateful for any scarps that are doled out. The fact remains that the world response to the Pakistani quake has been beyond pathetic. The Pakistani earthquake is a bigger catastrophe than the tsunami. The tsunami countries got over $10 Billion Dollars. While many international agencies and government are "going through the motions", serious efforts have not been made to help Pakistan and Pakistanis. The reasons may be similar to the reasons why the black Katrina victims got little help and white Rita victims got a lot of aid. Racism and Islamphobic bias are at the root of this nonchalance not covered by the media.
The Washington Post did not have a singly story on the earthquake. The NY Times had a story on Muslim charities and the fact that The "mainstream charities" are not getting donations from Americans for the Pakistani quake. The focus of the BBC story was not the inadequate and pathetic international response to the quake victims, but the fact that remote village beyond Bagh in the Northern areas, which are not connected by roads have not been reached.
The US has 8000 helicopters in Afghanistan. Pakistan needs about 200 helicopters and heavy moving equipment to assist the victims. 8 were released and then an additional 4 were released by Secretary of State Rice after the President Mushraraff literally begged her for more moving equipment. The NATO forces in Afghanistan refused to release any choppers. The Japanese teams were so late that they could not save a single life in the schools where 1500 children lay buried.
What makes it more hurtful is the fact that blatant Arab racism is at its worst today. Muslim countries have different scales for white American victims and different values for brown Pakistani lives. Kuwait and Qatar gave the 20 thousand Katrina victims $400 million each. For the 3 million "miskeen" "ajami" Pakistanis $100 million was deemed enough. The Palestinian Authority has not given anything. Egypt gave $50,000.
The good news is that Pakistanis have come together like never before. From America to Australia, and within Pakistan volunteers are everywhere, sending materials and volunteers to the affected areas of Azad Kashmir. Pakistan and Pakistanis will remember the friends.
Before an official request was conveyed, Turkish teams and planes were already airborn. Pakistan well never forget the Turkish "Kurdish" (brotherhood). The British teams in Islamabad got there early and actually saved some lives. Penury stricken Afghanistan spared 4 helicopters, pretty much their entire fleet. Today Pakistan and Pakistanis are working hard to rebuild Pakistan. This is the new slogan.
The lack of international help will have consequences that will ripple to the entire world. When India exploded its nuclear device, Pakistan asked for a "nuclear umbrella" from all the super powers. The Pakistanis were laughed out of Western capitals. Pakistan made the nuclear bombs. Pakistan paid cash for 75 F-16s. Neither the money, nor the planes were ever delivered. This unleashed anti-Americanism in Pakistan that had international consequences. With Chinese help, Pakistan designed and created a FX-17 plane and also bought and indigenously developed missile technology. Pakistanis have elephant memories.
If the international response remains as pathetic as it has been, Pakistan may opt for the Shanghai Five realignment with China and Russia and dump the strategic relationship that President Musharraf has tried to develop with the fair whether friends in the West. Pakistanis see help coming from India, and Israel and the Jewish organizations in the USA. This will be remembered. The word knows that Pakistan cannot be ignored. There is very strong resentment growing in Pakistani minds. The world knows that Pakistan cannot be ignored. Pakistani foreign policy realignment is underway. This will have long term consequences for the world.
=============================================
Pakistan Earthquake relief
Donate Blankets, Jackets or Money
The horrendous Earthquake in Pakistan where more than 50,000 are missing and the toll may reach more than 100,000. Entire villages have been flattened out, and over three million people are homeless. Winter is fast approaching, and they have spent many nights out in the rain and cold.
We are holding a drive to collect "clothes, blankets, stuffed animals, dolls and tents etc.". Pakistan International Airlines has promised to take the materials free of cost to Pakistan. We need your help in collecting
Blankets or clothes should be packed in small neat bundles clearly marked, "male", "female", "jacket", "large" "child" etc.
Please write "From your friends in the USA to our friends in Pakistan" on each packet.
DELIVERY AND SHIPPING OPTIONS: PLEASE VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME?
OPTION ONE: You can take the bundled & labeled packages to the nearest Pakistan International Airlines office (NY) and have it delivered to Pakistan without paying any shipping charges.
OPTION TWO: You can deliver to MOIN ANSARI c/A AJMA, 188 Rt. 10 West, Suite 202, East Hanover, NJ 07936) and we will deliver it to PIA to ship. Call 973-463-1260. We are developing a local drop-off points in each county. Or you can deliver to the First Presbyterian Church of Rockaway is a collection point (35 Church Street, Rockaway). Your local mosque is a collection point.
OPTION THREE: Can we impose on you to help us coordinate this collection activates, and hold stuff in your church/basement, and then have them delivered to PIA to ship to Edhi Foundation. PIA Contact: Mr. Arbab Hibatullah (718) 656-4040 Ext.230
OPTION FOUR: We offer to pick up the material and deliver to the Pakistan Airline, so that it can be forwarded. Call 973-463-1260 for help in pickup and delivery
DONATE TO THE CHARITY OF YOUR CHOICE
1) Earthquake relief: Consulate General of Pakistan, 12 East, 65th Street, New York, NY 10021, 212 472-4339, http://www.pakistanconsulateny.org
2) American Red Cross (marked Pakistan Earthquake relief) or Pakistan Red Crescent Society
3) UNICEF (marked Pakistan Earthquake Relief)
4) EDHI Foundation (Pakistani relief agency): 45-11 Nation Rd, Corona, NY 11368, 718-639-0633, Fax: 718-505-8001
Pathetic international response to 3 million brown Pakistani quake victims!
by
MOIN ANSARI
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/101705S.shtml
The internal Pakistani response to the quake has been heroic, superhuman, and "goose bump" stuff of which legends are made of. The fantastic spirit of volunteerism is a case study for the "Harvard Business Review". Within 15 minutes of the falling of the Margala towers, the police and hundreds of good Samaritans were there scraping at the rubble with their bare hands. Within 2 hours the president and the Prime Minster were helping at the site. Hordes of volunteers are collecting supplies from every nook and corner of Pakistan. From dusk to dawn the air force flew 800 sorties, a world record. The mudslide prone, destroyed roads to the most inaccessible areas have been rebuilt several times, and today there are mountains of relief supplies in the remotest of the remote areas in Kashmir manned by thousands of troops and volunteers. Today more than 100,000 Pakistani troops are fanning out in the mountains of Azad Kashmir looking to help Pakistanis.
The international response to the Pakistani quake has been atrocious. The Pakistani state machinery is too polite and too overwhelmed to say anything except "thank you". They are grateful for any scarps that are doled out. The fact remains that the world response to the Pakistani quake has been beyond pathetic. The Pakistani earthquake is a bigger catastrophe than the tsunami. The tsunami countries got over $10 Billion Dollars. While many international agencies and government are "going through the motions", serious efforts have not been made to help Pakistan and Pakistanis. The reasons may be similar to the reasons why the black Katrina victims got little help and white Rita victims got a lot of aid. Racism and Islamphobic bias are at the root of this nonchalance not covered by the media.
The Washington Post did not have a singly story on the earthquake. The NY Times had a story on Muslim charities and the fact that The "mainstream charities" are not getting donations from Americans for the Pakistani quake. The focus of the BBC story was not the inadequate and pathetic international response to the quake victims, but the fact that remote village beyond Bagh in the Northern areas, which are not connected by roads have not been reached.
The US has 8000 helicopters in Afghanistan. Pakistan needs about 200 helicopters and heavy moving equipment to assist the victims. 8 were released and then an additional 4 were released by Secretary of State Rice after the President Mushraraff literally begged her for more moving equipment. The NATO forces in Afghanistan refused to release any choppers. The Japanese teams were so late that they could not save a single life in the schools where 1500 children lay buried.
What makes it more hurtful is the fact that blatant Arab racism is at its worst today. Muslim countries have different scales for white American victims and different values for brown Pakistani lives. Kuwait and Qatar gave the 20 thousand Katrina victims $400 million each. For the 3 million "miskeen" "ajami" Pakistanis $100 million was deemed enough. The Palestinian Authority has not given anything. Egypt gave $50,000.
The good news is that Pakistanis have come together like never before. From America to Australia, and within Pakistan volunteers are everywhere, sending materials and volunteers to the affected areas of Azad Kashmir. Pakistan and Pakistanis will remember the friends.
Before an official request was conveyed, Turkish teams and planes were already airborn. Pakistan well never forget the Turkish "Kurdish" (brotherhood). The British teams in Islamabad got there early and actually saved some lives. Penury stricken Afghanistan spared 4 helicopters, pretty much their entire fleet. Today Pakistan and Pakistanis are working hard to rebuild Pakistan. This is the new slogan.
The lack of international help will have consequences that will ripple to the entire world. When India exploded its nuclear device, Pakistan asked for a "nuclear umbrella" from all the super powers. The Pakistanis were laughed out of Western capitals. Pakistan made the nuclear bombs. Pakistan paid cash for 75 F-16s. Neither the money, nor the planes were ever delivered. This unleashed anti-Americanism in Pakistan that had international consequences. With Chinese help, Pakistan designed and created a FX-17 plane and also bought and indigenously developed missile technology. Pakistanis have elephant memories.
If the international response remains as pathetic as it has been, Pakistan may opt for the Shanghai Five realignment with China and Russia and dump the strategic relationship that President Musharraf has tried to develop with the fair whether friends in the West. Pakistanis see help coming from India, and Israel and the Jewish organizations in the USA. This will be remembered. The word knows that Pakistan cannot be ignored. There is very strong resentment growing in Pakistani minds. The world knows that Pakistan cannot be ignored. Pakistani foreign policy realignment is underway. This will have long term consequences for the world.
=============================================
Pakistan Earthquake relief
Donate Blankets, Jackets or Money
The horrendous Earthquake in Pakistan where more than 50,000 are missing and the toll may reach more than 100,000. Entire villages have been flattened out, and over three million people are homeless. Winter is fast approaching, and they have spent many nights out in the rain and cold.
We are holding a drive to collect "clothes, blankets, stuffed animals, dolls and tents etc.". Pakistan International Airlines has promised to take the materials free of cost to Pakistan. We need your help in collecting
Blankets or clothes should be packed in small neat bundles clearly marked, "male", "female", "jacket", "large" "child" etc.
Please write "From your friends in the USA to our friends in Pakistan" on each packet.
DELIVERY AND SHIPPING OPTIONS: PLEASE VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME?
OPTION ONE: You can take the bundled & labeled packages to the nearest Pakistan International Airlines office (NY) and have it delivered to Pakistan without paying any shipping charges.
OPTION TWO: You can deliver to MOIN ANSARI c/A AJMA, 188 Rt. 10 West, Suite 202, East Hanover, NJ 07936) and we will deliver it to PIA to ship. Call 973-463-1260. We are developing a local drop-off points in each county. Or you can deliver to the First Presbyterian Church of Rockaway is a collection point (35 Church Street, Rockaway). Your local mosque is a collection point.
OPTION THREE: Can we impose on you to help us coordinate this collection activates, and hold stuff in your church/basement, and then have them delivered to PIA to ship to Edhi Foundation. PIA Contact: Mr. Arbab Hibatullah (718) 656-4040 Ext.230
OPTION FOUR: We offer to pick up the material and deliver to the Pakistan Airline, so that it can be forwarded. Call 973-463-1260 for help in pickup and delivery
DONATE TO THE CHARITY OF YOUR CHOICE
1) Earthquake relief: Consulate General of Pakistan, 12 East, 65th Street, New York, NY 10021, 212 472-4339, http://www.pakistanconsulateny.org
2) American Red Cross (marked Pakistan Earthquake relief) or Pakistan Red Crescent Society
3) UNICEF (marked Pakistan Earthquake Relief)
4) EDHI Foundation (Pakistani relief agency): 45-11 Nation Rd, Corona, NY 11368, 718-639-0633, Fax: 718-505-8001
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
