The Story
Farrokh Namazi Describes Pakistan Flooding Disaster
On September 4th, the South Asian Students Association and the International Relations Club, with support from Tamara Sonn, the Kenan Professor of Humanities in the Department of Religious Studies, held “Trapped by the Flood,” an event in the Sadler Center’s Commonwealth Auditorium, to raise awareness about the flood disaster in Pakistan and provide students and members of the local community with ways to help.
“Students just came to me and said, ‘What can we do?’” said Sonn. “The project just came together.”
Since late July, Pakistan has been devastated by unprecedented flooding along the Indus River, which winds through the heart of the country. The waters submerged more than 60,000 square miles, an area roughly equal to the size of Florida, directly affecting more than 20 million people. The flooding has destroyed homes and infrastructure, isolated whole regions, killed millions of the livestock upon which many Pakistanis depend, and left millions of people without adequate food, water, or medical care. After touring areas hit by the flooding, the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, said, “In the past I have witnessed many natural disasters around the world, but nothing like this.”
Despite reports like Ki-moon’s, Sonn told the crowd that she feared there was “a lot of donor fatigue” among the American populace in the wake of other recent, high profile natural disasters.
“The problem is so huge and overwhelming,” Sonn said, especially when added to the political problems that Pakistan is facing, including its government’s years long internal struggle against Islamic extremists.
However, Sonn stressed the importance of private efforts in aiding those affected by the floods.
“It is up to us,” she said. “The citizens of the world.”
The event’s main speaker was Farrokh Namazi, a local consultant in Pakistani cultural affairs. She discussed specific instances of damage, such as the destruction of several bridges along the Karakoram Highway, a major road linking Pakistan and China. The destruction of these bridges has isolated many areas, meaning aid can only reach them via helicopter.
Seasonal changes in the Indus River’s level are normal, but, according to Namazi, the people of Pakistan could not have anticipated how severe the flooding this summer would be.
“People didn’t realize this would happen,” said Namazi. “The waters just rose and rose. People went on the rooftops and were stranded.”
According to Namazi, the flood has killed approximately 1,600 people. This is much smaller than the number of deaths in some other high profile disasters such as the Haitian earthquake, but in the absence of massive external aid, the number is likely to skyrocket as those affected by the flood succumb to heat, hunger, disease and exposure.
“Everyone has been affected.” said Namazi. “Men, women and children… They are dying now, and they will continue to die unless we do something.”
Namazi continued by saying that everyone in Pakistan is doing what they can, but they cannot the job alone.
“It’s tough," she said. "The army is stretched thin. This is our time to make a difference. Five dollars can feed a family for a day. Money is needed- every penny counts.”
Namazi also hoped that the community’s contributions would go beyond the monetary.
“We will also have to make a difference with our service,” she said. “We must give of our knowledge, and give of our time.”
Following Namazi were student ambassadors from several organizations, as well as Dr. Grace Park, who spoke of her experience in Pakistan.
“The people in Pakistan are some of the warmest, friendliest people I’ve met,” she said, and adding that after the September 11 attacks the first people to send her condolence emails were her friends in Pakistan. “The people of Pakistan will appreciate whatever you do.”
Among the aid groups discussed at the event were The Citizens Foundation, which runs more than 600 schools across Pakistan and is currently engaged in providing meals to flood refugees; the Pakistan Animal Welfare Society, which is currently providing veterinary care to animals affected by the flooding- many of which are crucial to the livelihoods of Pakistani farmers; Doctors Without Borders, which is providing medical care to those affected by the flooding; and UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund.
If you want to get involved with flood efforts at William and Mary, there are plenty of opportunities. The William and Mary chapter of UNICEF meets Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. in Blair Hall 223, and, in addition to donating through its website, a ten dollar donation can be made to help its flood relief efforts by texting “FLOODS” to 864233. Project: Clearwater meets at Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in Blair Hall 205 and is planning a fundraiser to provide clean water to those affected by the floods.