First of all, simply based upon our humanitarian principles and our collective value of compassion, empathy, and understanding, Canadians should have done more to help the tragedy-stricken people of Pakistan in coping with their social struggles. Millions of Pakistanis are suffering and are in desperate need of the World for aid support. The very motto of Canadian humanitarian aids is to save lives, alleviate suffering, and to rebuild lost homes. Therefore, it is against all our values for the image of corruption and terrorism to cloud our humanitarian concerns. Canadians raised over 84.6 million in 4 weeks for the Haiti earth quake, while only 6.6 million in six weeks for Pakistan disaster relief. Clearly there are troubling contrasts between the outpouring of generosity and attention that followed the earthquake in Haiti and the averting of eyes from the flooding in Pakistan. Over a month, the devastating floods have been ravaging Pakistan, more than 1.2 million home have been damaged and millions of people are still in need of shelter, and clean water and food are still in short supply in many areas. The floods killed more than 1,700 people while about 17 million have been affected by the floods and many will need emergency assistance to survive. “I am left with only the clothes I am wearing” the 60 year-old said from the Azakhel refugee camp. In addition to the inadequate food and shelter, The World Health Organization announced that severe skin diseases, and respiratory infections have hit many flood victims and over half a million people have already been treated for diarrhoeal diseases with more to come. Pakistan’s economy is also at risk, as the floods have destroyed millions of hectares of crops and could lead to soaring inflation and job losses. With everything they previously owned gone, people are now faced with debt as people are scrambling to rebuild their home. “Courage and hope is the only thing we have left,” said Ali, a victim of the flood. This signified the importance of the Canadians to once again open its generosity to help victims in Pakistan and put Pakistan’s image of corruption and terrorism behind. In such a time when human lives are at stake, when people are suffering and struggling for survival, Canadians should continuously follow its long held value of compassion and understanding of the victims of natural disaster, and not hesitate in donating to the people of Pakistan.
Secondly, the preconceived image that Westerners have of Pakistan as a country should not alter our humanitarian principles nor diminish our compassion for victims of disasters. Millions of people who are suffering are civilians who are innocent of the terrorism within Pakistan. We should continuously hold our collective Canadian value of prosperity and tolerance to break through the usual political barriers and resentments to help Pakistanis in need. It is understandable that it is difficult to open the pocketbook in believing that the money is partially funding a corrupt government and their military, and in general supporting areas that breed our “enemies”. However, the perceived corruption by the government should not be an excuse for the lack of donation. In punishing the helpless and homeless millions of the 2010 floods is the worst possible way to express our rejection of the Pakistani corruption. Pakistan is a nation of millions of ordinary and peaceful human beings, not more than a few thousands of whom are terrorists and extremists, doing a disservice to their own religion, country and humanity at large by their misdeeds. This includes innocent children and women who will become victims of this corrupt and terrorist generalization about Pakistan. “Unless we can act fast enough, children and other vulnerable people may succumb” UNICEF’s executive director Anthony Lake said. In addition, the 35 year-old actress, Angelina Julie said she met with many people whose lives have been devastated by the floods, including mothers who lost their children and an elderly Pakistani couple who feared they would never be able to rebuild their home. All in all, we Canadians should continuously act on the basis of our humanitarian principle to alleviate the suffering of the millions innocent of the terrorism outfit of the country.
Lastly, it is also in the Canadian national interest of safety and security to help Pakistan combat Taliban insurgence influence within the country. Anything that destabilizes Pakistan or affects its government’s ability to keep control of the country has enormous stakes for the World on the security side. Through this disaster, the militant groups in Pakistan could easily drum up support by exploiting frustration among Pakistanis who feel aid has not reached them quickly. Clearly, the floods have also left political consequences. By influencing the behaviour of the Pakistanis and their world outlook, this poses great terrorism threat to Canada and the rest of the international community. The fear raises following a 13-minute Osama bin Laden audiotape appealing to Pakistanis by addressing that more aid is needed from fellow Muslim nations. In addressing the ethnic nationalism of Muslim brotherhood, it could influence the people of Pakistan to associate and relate them more with the Taliban, a Muslim organization, than with the West. The concern of security was also addressed by the Prime Minister of Pakistan as he told the CBC reporter, “We expected they [western countries] would do more for Pakistan because we are a front-line state struggling and fighting terrorism and extremism for the peace, prosperity and progress of the whole world.” In the name of national interest, the Pakistan floods represent more than just a humanitarian problem; it is inherently a security concern for Canada and the World.
In conclusion, the people of Canada should continuously demonstrate its legendary generosity to expedite the recovery of flood-ravaged Pakistan despite its corrupt reputation. With over millions of people struggling to survive, Pakistan needs the attention and the compassion of Canada and the World more than ever to cope with hunger, disease, and overall the economic, social, and political damage caused by the worst disaster in decades. As a humanitarian objective, we should ignore and abolish biased political and religious views to show the people of Pakistan our universally extended sympathy, benevolence, and kindness to all human beings. As well, any help by international community will only strengthen their faith in the basic goodness of humanity and would help protect them from the evil influence of the extremists. In looking beyond her differences to help the victim in Pakistan, Jolie told reporters “I am very moved by them and I hope that I am able to, today and tomorrow…. Do something to help bring attention to the situation for all of the people in need in Pakistan.” The issue of putting differences before humanitarian principles will continue to be an issue over time, and Pakistan will serve as a reminder to the rest of the world for their lack of donations.
