Some catching up from Pakistan

I'm quite busy here in Pakistan, so somewhat delay in publishing my thoughts:


Lahore (Pakistan), 17 August 2010


Being an aid worker is very interesting, dangerous, rewarding, self-fulfilling and most importantly crazy, very crazy. One day, while sitting with my family in peace, I can receive a telephone call or watch a piece in the news then all of a sudden your life completely changed, starting calling and receiving calls from all over the world, handling media, fundraising.

___________________________________________________________________


Islamabad (Pakistan) 15 August 2010


One of the issues that struck me most is the phenomena of the well wishers, individuals or small groups of amateurs moved by the images on the TV, then collect some donations from friends, families or maybe mosque or churches, book a ticket then land in an unknown land, buy some relief items (usually food), and start distributing. Without any assessment, planning, discussion or interaction with the country or any other coordination body in the country. As if they are working in a vacuum. Unfortunately, such behaviour or method of work disturbs the existing humanitarian mechanism set by the Government, UN agencies and professional humanitarian agencies. These well wishers with good intention rarely reach the poor or the vulnerable groups, who are away from the main scene, in the remote areas. They tend to throw what they have to the first group of people camping on the main road, who may be professional beggars collecting assistance and sell this in the market. The true needy have no access to any of this assistance because they are not reachable by those well wishers coming for a very limited time. I have a short video recording (which I'll put up later) of such undignified distribution: amateurs throwing food, water or any other aid items from the top of the truck while driving on the main road, reaching only those who can run fast enough and putting people at risk (several people injured through being hit by oncoming traffic).


See you later with new update on the progress of Lunda village