Pakistan disaster in need of wider focus, groups say

Hartford - Pakistani Americans met in Hartford Thursday to discuss how they could keep the public focused on the dire situation in Pakistan now that a month has passed since massive flooding began there.

More than 1,500 people have been killed and 20 million people affected by monsoon flooding in northern Pakistan.

On the phone from Pakistan, Sonia Khush described how people are suffering from water-borne diseases, such as diarrhea, and malnutrition. Pregnant women have no access to medical care. The crops that families depended on for their livelihood were washed away, along with roads and bridges. Schools were destroyed.

Khush, Save the Children's director of emergency preparedness and response, told of the charity's efforts to provide food, medical care, shelter materials and hygiene supplies, as well as to set up temporary schools and clinics.

"We have big plans, big ambitions, and we need everyone's support," Khush said.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said that he has never seen anything like the flood disaster in Pakistan.

"Awareness is the main enemy. Helping people is a no-brainer," said M. Saud Anwar, an executive committee member of the Pakistani American Public Affairs Committee. "Strategically and politically it's a no-brainer. The challenge we have is raising awareness among the larger society."

To further that effort, Pakistani Americans and representatives from relief agencies working in Pakistan met Thursday at the Legislative Office Building for a roundtable discussion hosted by U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy, D-5th District.

"The disaster is still unfolding today. We are not looking in the rearview mirror," said Murphy, adding that it is in the United States' interest from both humanitarian and strategic positions to make a "major investment" in Pakistan.

Save the Children is trying to raise $55 million to support Pakistani children and families. The Pakistani American Association of Connecticut held a fundraiser at a Berlin mosque immediately after the flooding began and raised more than $70,000.

Plans are under way for a second fundraiser at the Sheraton Hotel in East Hartford on Oct. 1. Many participating in the roundtable discussion were members of PAACT.

Carol Shattuck, chief of staff at AmeriCares, said the group is sending supplies and medicines to Pakistan and will eventually turn its attention to the long-term reconstruction and rehabilitation.

Many at the table agreed that the current emergency phase would last another four to six months, followed by the years it will take to recover.

The discussion ranged from political points, like how American aid can "win hearts and minds" in Pakistan, to the practical, such as which organizations to donate to. Both Save the Children and AmeriCares are based in Connecticut and have established networks in Pakistan.

Mansoor Alam, a high school senior from Cheshire, reminded the group that "this is not about politics, it's about people in need."

"If we focus too much on politics, whether Pakistan is our friend or enemy and how this will look, we'll lose sight of what's important," Alam said. "We have to continue to come together like we did today and play to our strengths."

Murphy said there will be a new round of talks about Pakistan when Congress reconvenes and other opportunities for discussions like the one held Thursday.

Anwar called the meeting a "useful starting point" to raise awareness and build links among the relief organizations.