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 Because we don't agree with what we see as an outdated culture?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.

[cassiesmom]

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

My church too.

We can donate at church with our regular offering and they will forward the funds to faith-based organizations that are already established to help in Pakistan.

[sana]

Thanks everybody who's helping

[Twisterdog]

The United States gives hundreds of billions of dollars of foreign aid each year, to countries of all religions. Money better spent on our own people and problems, IMO.

[Lady's Human]

US foreign aid is actually about 20-30 billion per year.

[lizbud]

US foreign aid is actually about 20-30 billion per year.

.....and some US schools are asking children to bring their own toilet paper
to school with them. How does that make any sense?

[Lady's Human]

Being that school budgets are (or should be ) a local item, all that tells me is that we have school districts who can't budget.

[lizbud]

Being that school budgets are (or should be ) a local item, all that tells me is that we have school districts who can't budget.

Perhaps I shouldn't have used your quote specifically to hang my comments on. But, it was what I was thinking, so...

Communities generally budget very well for the funds (taxes,fees) they
collect, but with the bad economy & people out of work, budgets are much
tighter then they have ever been.

[JenBKR]

Our economy's pretty bad right now and it's not looking like it's going to get better any time soon. A lot of people are out of work, and many are struggling to get by. I know that my local food bank is really hurting, and that's where I have been donating lately. Maybe others are in the same boat, either they can't afford to donate to Paskistan or they are choosing to help others in their own community.

There are probably some people who aren't donating because of Islam, but I doubt that it's the reason for many. I haven't heard about Pakistan nearly as much as I did about Haiti, but like someone else said, I haven't been watching tv hardly at all so that could be why. Pakistan is in my prayers.