Pakistan Earthquake

St James has recently held a collection for the victims of the earthquake in Pakistan. Just under £50 was raised for the earthquake appeal which has been forwarded to the Dudley Muslim Association. Mike Mason (01384 76637) has recently written the following report about the consequences of the earthquake on a region in need of long term support. Apart from the sheer humanitarian need, given the region’s close links with many British Muslims, it is important that Christians continue to remember those who are suffering in prayer and seek ways to support the ongoing relief effort. If you would like to know more please contact either Mike or Fr Andrew.

 

At the Dudley Borough Interfaith Network AGM on 29 November we heard from Dr Arbab Nazir and Mr Khurshid Ahmed - both residents of Dudley - about their very personal experience of events in Pakistan.

Arbab went to Pakistan shortly after the earthquake as part of a team from the UK offering medical and other support. They were able also to distribute direct to those in most need large sums of cash donated by people in the UK.

Khurshid was on a family visit to Pakistan at the time of the earthquake and, even though they were staying some 100 miles from the epicentre, they felt strong shocks. He then stayed on in Pakistan helping to co-ordinate aid from the UK.

Arbab’s pictures brought home the stark reality of this tragedy and its effect on millions of ordinary people. Sadly not all the external aid is appropriate e.g. the vast majority of the tents provided are totally unsuitable for the harsh winter conditions which affect that area.

Khurshid told us of the gratitude of people locally for the response from the UK with its many close ties to Pakistan - both historical and through the presence here of many people who originated from that country.

Shortly after that event I spoke also to Revd Garth Nathaniel who is Priest-in-Charge of St John’s Church in Brockmoor and originates also from Pakistan. He had a visit planned in November to see his family and so again saw first hand the effects of the earthquake and the way in which local people, including the small Christian community, were responding to this tragic event.

He told me how unfair was the criticism about the speed of response from e.g. the military and the health services. They themselves were devastated by the earthquake losing many key personnel.

The many mines laid in the border area as a result of the long-running dispute over Kashmir made it very difficult also to get the border open quickly. However, cross border working with India was beginning to happen.

All three of them stressed the need for massive long-term support for reconstruction in a region where so much has been obliterated. They said also that they are willing both to speak to faith groups about their experience and to be a channel for further support for people in Pakistan.