Earthquake in Pakistan: Aid (and politics) slowly follow Kashmir’s misery

What would Kanye West say?

Much of the devastation from last week’s devastating 7.6 magnitude earthquake in Pakistani Kashmir still remains unseen in many remote areas, making aid relief efforts challenging. Some 25,000 deaths have been confirmed, a number that could rise to 40,000 – mostly women and children (who were in homes and schools respectively). However, some relief efforts are starting to make a difference. Britain, with a large population of Pakistanis from the affected regions that have lost loved ones, has pledged a further �10million, in addition to the �2million raised in the first 24 hours. British rescue teams were also on the scene quick enough to rescue five survivors trapped in Islamabad’s (easily accessible) Margala Towers. Americans in general have been slower to respond, with many donors stretched after record donations following the tsunami and Hurricane Katrina. American Muslims, for their part, have responded with over $20 million in aid pledges to the remaining Islamic charities not shut down by the US government over terror allegations (the US State Department still recommends donations be made to the American Red Cross – an organisation with little presence in Pakistan). However, the US government has donated supplies and troops to assist in relief efforts and Rice for, erm, political consumption (“Musharraf is a friend and hero in our eyes,” said one US official. “There is a clear and unmistakable signal being sent that we help our friends.”). Closer to the scene, India (which has suffered far fewer casualties than Pakistan) has offered 25 tonnes of relief supplies, though offers of joint rescue operations across the Line of Control have been politely refused. “I’m sure there must be many more reasons (for the refusal), but their aid, whatever they have given us – that is more than welcome,” said Pakistani military spokesman, Brigadier Shah Jahan. So far, in total, 30 nations have donated supplies, though logistical difficulties now threaten to supercede relief efforts. With the search for survivors now coming to an end, many fear that the patience could turn to anger against President Pervez Musharraf, echoing US President George Bush’s savaging after Hurricane Katrina. “We are doing whatever is humanly possible,” Musharraf said. “There should not be any blame game. We are trying to reach all those areas where people need our help.”

Zahed Amanullah is associate editor of altmuslim.com. He is based in London, England.