The Adoption
of Bugna
By M. Majid Ali*
New York
Thousands dead, maimed
and homeless. Food stocks and buildings destroyed.
Family members unaccounted for. Thousands trapped
even several days after the Earth shakes and no
help can arrive due to the high mountains and lack
of resources. The local Government stands wiped
out. The Federal Government does not have enough
helicopters and heavy equipment. Untold numbers
trapped underneath their homes and schools are written
off by a helpless Government which turns to the
outside world. Many interminable days later when
help does arrive it is too late for the thousands
expecting it from beneath the rubble. Multitudes
of survivors wandering through wintry mountains
face amputation because medical help comes too late
and their wounds are beyond healing.
Some said it is God's wrath for turning away from
him. But what of the thousands of people who were
continuing their Ramadan obligations just hours
after losing everything?
Others said it is just a natural disaster that did
not discriminate between good and bad people. Yet
others believe a more educated society would have
coped much better. There would have more awareness
of the seismic characteristics of the area. Houses
would have been built with wood which is more earthquake-resistant
than bricks and a strong economy would have assured
greater resources to mount a meaningful rescue and
relief effort. After all the Japanese face a similar
seismic situation. Their population is highly educated
and knowing that a big one will hit them every 80-100
years their housing structures are far more prepared
and their vast economic resources can certainly
respond much better than Northern Pakistan. No one
should doubt the religious devotion of Northern
Pakistan but there is a lack of education. Perhaps,
the answer does lie in the Qur’anic injunction
that makes education mandatory for all adherents.
The urgent need for immediate food, clothing, shelter
and medical treatment is being met by quite a few
organizations but few have had a long-term presence
in Pakistan. And this is where the Human Development
Foundation (HDF.com) is pivotal to Northern Pakistan's
relief operations. Founded by Pakistani American
physicians, HDF is already operating in many parts
of Pakistan and is also on the ground in Kashmir.
It has many ongoing school, micro-credit and infrastructure
projects which are mainly designed to make small
communities self-sustaining rather than to be a
handout operation. Since the Earthquake HDF has
been providing relief on the ground and also raising
funds for a long-term effort.
To avoid duplication, HDF adopted one area comprising
14 villages in the UC Deli, Dana and Chattar class
area in Kashmir. The relief work was started in
a systematic way keeping in view a long-term rehabilitation
plan. A reconnaissance team from National Office
physically assessed the situation for the provision
of needed relief work. On the recommendation of
this team HDF selected the village of Bugna, situated
30 km away from the Kohala Bridge and about 20 Km
away from Army Picquet/Control Point). However,
services are being provided to all adjacent villages
of two other UC's, i.e. Dana and Chattar class and
no one is refused by the HDF staff.
To aid in the relief effort HDF continues to train
local and US based volunteers in medical and relief
work. Local volunteers have been especially inducted
for an effective relief effort to identify the most
needy people.
Transparency is aided by the maintenance of detailed
village specific registers that record the names
and numbers of the households being helped. Hundreds
and thousands of mixed food bags (each containing
15-day rations for a family of 4-5 people), flour
and milk have been distributed. In the early days
nearly 500 people were served Ramadan sehri and
iftari and about 67 patients with their 100 plus
attendants were provided with food. Thousands of
warm clothes and blankets (at least 2 blankets per
household) are still being provided as needed. Tents
are in short supply and are prioritized on the basis
of the complete destruction of houses or if all
adult family members were lost. A main tent complex
was set up which was utilized by a number of families.
Another 115 earthquake proof houses were arranged
through a US based company called Alaska Structures.
A field medical center was also set up at Bugna
through which help is being provided to all the
villages located in the peripheries of Bugna. The
mobile team equipped with medicines and surgical
equipment is providing outreach services by visiting
households on a daily basis. They provide health
services at the household level and bring patients
to the medical center if required.
At the camp some HDF staff also celebrated Eid with
the survivors. 800 Eid gift packs and sweets were
distributed and a very simple Eid Milan party lunch
was arranged for 300 children and women.
As most people of the earthquake area lack education
and the basic tools of life HDF sees this as an
opportunity to make a long-term commitment. It will
bring to bear its existing resources and experience
in Pakistan to provide physical infrastructure in
the form of earthquake proof housing, schools and
health centers and the general economic uplift of
the affectees. The idea is to amalgamate this effort
with the regular HDF program which helps people
help themselves by providing the basic self-sustaining
tools of education, infrastructure and vocational
training.
To help, visit HDF.com or call 1-800-705-1310. Tax
deductible donations (IRS tax ID # 36-4184940) can
be made online or checks made payable to "Human
Development Foundation" and mailed to:
HDF
1350 Remington Road
Suite W
Schaumburg IL 60173
*The author is a CPA working in Investment Banking
in New York. He can be reached at Indus000@hotmail.com
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