A question, regarding the floods in Pakistan.

[Miss Z]

The recent threads on Islam and the cultures associated with it got me thinking.

Since the devastating floods in Pakistan, many disaster relief organisations have been surprised and saddened by the inadequate level of response from the rest of the world. Countries have been called on again and again, by the DEC and the UN, to once again show the generosity that emerged for the 2004 tsunami, and the Haitian earthquake.

Since reading some of the opressing and, I will go as far to say, rather distorted, viewpoints towards Muslims, I began to wonder if the slow response is down the this feeling that is seemingly more prevalent in the West than I had imagined.

Do we honestly think twice before reaching to our pockets, because, in the back of our minds, we see Pakistan as a country which embodies a religion to be feared, and to be pushed away? Because we don't agree with what we see as an outdated culture? Because we believe it to be a spawning-ground for terrorism? And thus, do these concerns overwhelm our conscience?

I've been donating through my workplace, since I know that the money I give there will definitely go to the appeal and not to line someone else's pocket.

Of course, circumstances do not always allow good-intending folk to be charitable, but I would be interested to know who donated to Haiti and whether their decision was any different with regards to Pakistan.

Your thoughts, please.

[Catty1]

I know that some people have "donor fatigue" after all the horrid events of this past year.

However, Canada is giving $33 million, and on top of that, is matching Canadians' donations thru registered charities dollar for dollar. This worked amazingly for Haiti, and I hope it does the same for Pakistan.

NB - the reason I said I do not intend to donate is because I am BROKE. I continue to support a young gal in India, though.

[sana]

Everyday I read bad news about the flood. ITS THE WORST IN THE WHOLE CENTURY!!! The worst thing!!! A FULL MOON'S COMING UP TOMORROW!! the flood might drain into the Arabian sea and that might take a couple of weeks. Its getting worse and stupid government isn't even helping! Please pray for Pakistan! Please!

[Karen]

Yes, Sana, Pakistan has been in our prayers since the flood happened, we mention it every week at church.

[sana]

Yes, Sana, Pakistan has been in our prayers since the flood happened, we mention it every week at church.

Nice

[pomtzu]

I have to agree with Catty1 here - donor fatigue.

I don't believe that Islam has anything to do with it. At some point people (and nations) have to step back and say that enough is enough - unfortunately. When I see what the U.S. has given in aid over the years to many, many different countries (and cultures & religions), it makes me rather sad that the U.S. is so slow (or non-existent), in giving aid to their own people in their own country.

What's the explanation for that, I would ask...........

[sana]

I don't know if Islam has anything to do with this, but the flood wouldn't have been this bad if the government made Kalabagh Dam. And guess what the rivers and the dams are full and still, load shedding They should do something about this. The government isn't doing anything. The ppl are doing everything up till now.

[Freedom]

I would suggest the time of year may be part of the issue.

The 2004 tsunami (Dec 26) and the 2010 Haiti earthquake (Jan 12) happened in winter months, when I sit and watch TV a LOT. The scenes they showed where heart wrenching, and yes, I gave.

This time of year, I am lucky to watch 3 hours of TV per week. While I am aware of the floods in Pakistan, I am not seeing the images "in my face" every minute. So the impact, the "oh my gosh those poor people," and the feeling that something like that could happen to me, a random thing like that, well, that message is just not hitting me the same way.

[kitten645]

I agree that it doesn't have to do with Islam. I think fatigue is the main factor. I think the US needs to mind business at home. The way Katrina was handled (or rather NOT handled) was a wake up call. I also feel most of these relief efforts eventually just line the pockets of the politicians in these countries. Corruption in government is the reason they can't react to disasters. The infrastructure isn't there to cope.

[Medusa]

Donor fatigue applies to more than disaster relief for me. Daily I receive requests to donate money for abused and/or abandoned animals, for local school kids soccer uniforms, for church pantries in their food banks. It's endless. I donate plenty and I'd like to be able to donate more but I have to pick and choose. Race, religion, culture, country, none of these have anything to do w/how much or to whom I donate. It's a matter of how much I have to give and to whom I last gave so that I can rotate to some other organization or cause. Donor fatigue? Whew!

[Asiel]

I don't know if it's Donor Fatigue but I've stopped giving till I'm blue in the face. When I look around and see how our government treats our homeless and elderly it sickens me. If they spent half the money they send to every country in need in our own country we wouldn't have homeless starving people sleeping on the streets. Charity begins at home.
When school starts it will be a never ending parade of kids ringing the doorbell wanting donations for everything from hockey games to travelling abroad to expand their horizons, etc etc. When we were in school and wanted something we earned the money, we didn't get it going from door to door.

[Laura's Babies]

What chaps my hide is how everyone, including big name stars jumped in for Haiti and all that money flowed in for relief there.. Yet, nothing is being done there with all that money! People are still living in tents. The only help they are getting are from organizations that take stuff there on their own.. Where is that money that was donated there? It makes you stop and think about where you donate your money.. Why are they sitting on it? Why isn't it being used to help the people it was donated to help?

That is MY problem in donating to Pakistan. I feel so sorry for those people, no matter what religion or where they are. My heat breaks for them and what has happened to their lives.

I am sure I am not the only one who wonders what happened to all the donations in Haiti and questions donating so quickly anywhere else.

[kitten645]

"what happened to all the donations"

There is NO accountablity for any aid given anywhere. The US gives Pakistan one BILLION dollars of aid a year! WAY before the floods. What was all that money used for? A billion goes a long way in a third world country. Just sayin.

[sana]

Hey, I know, you're right the government is doing this. Its best you give it to somebody who you know is a friend of somebody in Pakistan. Its best you do it that way. Send the money or post it to some foundations which are collecting money for this. You can mail the money? I don't actually know how to send money to another country.

[sana]

T guess they are using money for their own self. I don't know but I say its bestyou post the money. My dad was also collecting money for the refugees. Gotta go, bye. Mom is teeling me to help her find my glasses. Oey! Can't see properly. GLASSES LOST!!! My eyes are like this blue guys here.