 | | | I just spent five days in Pakistan with my husband, Chris Anderson, invited by Acumen’s community to see for ourselves what is happening on the ground regarding the floods that have displaced 20 million individuals and destroyed 1.2 million (and damaged 4-5 million) homes. | | | |
Over 5,000 miles of roads have been washed away, and some 7,000 schools and 400 health facilities have been destroyed. The loss of one-fifth of irrigation systems, livestock and crops is estimated to cost the country between $5-6 billion. And cases of malaria are growing across the flood zones. It is impossible to articulate the full scope of the devastation. By any measure, the floods in Pakistan account for the worst natural disaster of the decade.
To say this is only a natural disaster, however, lets the human community off the hook. Most theories of what caused the floods point a finger at climate change, which dumped unusual amounts of rain this year and melted glaciers that sent more waters to the valleys. Illegal logging on the slopes of the Himalayas stripped the ground of natural water absorption protection. Population growth has pushed large numbers of people (mostly among the lowest income) dangerously close to the river Indus. These factors, and more, helped create the perfect storm. Efforts to reconstruct a better, stronger Pakistan must address these issues, especially as many scientists predict that the country is currently in a four year "wet cycle". Chris and I spent time visiting camps and areas in southern Punjab and Sindh. Our hosts included Acumen global board member, Ali Siddiqui; investees Dr. Sono Khangarani of Sindh Rural Support Organization (SRSO), and Dr. Rashid Bajwa of National Rural Support Program (NRSP); and Acumen friends Adnan Asdar (Karachi Relief Trust) and Nargis Rahman (Pakistan Women's Foundation for Peace). These individuals and their organizations underscore what is most hopeful about the situation: civil society is rising in powerful, visible ways across the country. Through the Mahvash and Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation, Ali is leading a private effort to support camps that feed and shelter 10,000 individuals. NRSP accounts for 400,000 people, and SRSO, 60,000. Aman Foundation, another private effort driven by Arif Naqvi, has converted a fleet of ambulances to mobile health units that are serving flood victims around the clock. Never have I felt prouder to be part of the Acumen community. | "However, we ended the week with a deeper understanding of the situation on a structural as well as human level, and return more committed than ever to calling for smarter, focused action on supporting Pakistan today and into the future." | | While there, I kept a journal to record what we experienced each day. It is long and unstructured, a diary of sorts, filled with as many questions as insights. Indeed, the situation in Pakistan is complex. However, we ended the week with a deeper understanding of the situation on a structural as well as human level, and return more committed than ever to calling for smarter, focused action on supporting Pakistan today and into the future. Pakistan’s future hangs in the balance. The massive devastation has created unprecedented social, physical and economic dislocation. More than a million people are currently living in schools that are necessarily no longer providing education. The country is experiencing a significant wave of flood victims moving into cities; Karachi alone counts more than 60,000 refugees, and many expect the number to rise to 200,000 in the near future - this to a city stressed by a lack of basic services, reeling from already high levels of joblessness, and wincing from growing levels of ethnic violence. Most of these individuals do not want to return to the rural areas, and are looking to government to assist them. Anger is rising in many of the camps. Ensuring visible signs of reconstruction - and job creation - is critical to a peaceful reconstruction. The good news is in the growing strength of civil society. As I wrote above, we experienced incredible efforts being undertaken by the private sector, NGOs and individual citizens who are stepping up to this enormous challenge. The best work collaboratively with the military and government, providing a new model for how a country can respond and rebuild more effectively than we’ve seen in the past. We had a personal experience with this. Chris identified a TEDster, Michael Pritchard, founder and inventor of the LifeSaver filter technology, a 20 liter jerry can that can render the dirtiest flood waters completely safe to drink. We purchased 500 units and Ali Siddiqui worked with Air Blue to deliver them within several days from Manchester, England to Karachi. The jerry cans cleared customs quickly, Michael flew into Pakistan to provide initial training, and within 24 hours of arrival, Ali’s foundation was deploying them successfully in camps. A number were given to Aman Foundation for ambulances, and others were supplied to the UN in partnership with Ali’s work. This international, ad hoc collaboration created on the basis of trust enabled this small group of private players to bring a useful technology to a people in need at minimal cost. We need more such collaborations. | "Acumen can support these efforts in various ways, and it is important that we represent first and foremost those affected by the floods who rarely have voice in the conversations that most affect their lives." | New and Better Models for Aid. International assistance can play an important role in identifying and supporting effective efforts, not only during the relief phase but also during reconstruction. Among just the Acumen community, we identified individuals and private organizations willing to give more than $130 million, accompanied by their skills and networks to build lasting organizations and institutions on the ground to serve displaced communities into the future. A number are focused specifically on creating a network of health and education facilities. International organizations should bring matching funds to these efforts and support efforts to bring talented individuals (including a call to action to Pakistanis in the diaspora) to the country for this next, most critical phase. Also of utmost importance, Pakistan and the international community need to bridge a significant trust deficit -- this is especially pertinent when it comes to the United States. We have a major opportunity today to redeploy aid funding to reconstruction in a way that builds partnership, creates results and serves as a model for the values on which an interconnected world must stand - dignity, accountability, shared responsibility, mutual respect and learning. Acumen can support these efforts in various ways, and it is important that we represent first and foremost those affected by the floods who rarely have voice in the conversations that most affect their lives. A Call to Action for All of Us. Though I’ve focused on macro issues and policy recommendations, there is a need for everyone of us to contribute. There is much to be done. First, get informed via the website www.ontheground.pk the site is a terrific reference for what is happening and how you can get involved. Post photographs and stories and be a part of this growing community that stands with Pakistan. Second, give generously. Following is a list of recommended organizations. ++ International Rescue Committee ++ Karachi Relief Trust ++ Kashf Foundation ++ Rural Support Program Network ++ The Citizens Foundation ++ The Mahvash and Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation Third, spread the word. We’ve put together a short video of my photographs to underscore our shared humanity with the flood victims. Send it to those you care about and those who should know about the situation.
Sincerely, 
Jacqueline Novogratz
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