HOTLINE - week of October 09, 2006

October 8 was the one-year anniversary of the massive earthquake that devastated parts of Pakistan. The quake left nearly 3.5 million people without shelter. Now, twelve months later, the picture remains grim for many of those affected, with less than two percent of houses in the most seriously affected areas having been rebuilt and winter approaching.

"There’s only a small window of time before winter hits, and there will be at least 200,000 people without proper shelter," says CWS Pakistan/Afghanistan country director Marvin Parvez. "We can’t count on this winter being mild like last year."

"We have nothing. We live from hand to mouth," says 76-year-old Lalparam Jan, in the village of Dharian in Battagram District. She and her husband Gul Zarin were both injured when parts of their house collapsed during the quake. Lalparam's injuries were so severe that she is still unable to move. The elderly couple now spend their days in the ruins of their former home. At night they retreat to the tent they received in January. It is full of holes and is slowly rotting. They are afraid that when the snow comes their tent and what remains of their home will collapse.

"Then we're finished. I can't move, and we can't afford medical treatment. I may as well die now, but I'm scared," says Lalparam. Her husband adds, "Without water, we would already be dead."

Since the quake, CWS has helped to provide water and sanitation systems for damaged communities and in tent camps.

To add to the misery, heavy rains in recent weeks have caused flooding and mudslides that killed at least 400 people and displaced thousands more. CWS has provided plastic sheeting, blankets, tents, and food packages to flood-affected families.

CWS continues to assist people recovering from the quake, providing water and sanitation systems, environmental awareness training, basic health services, psychosocial support, health and hygiene training, food packages, shelter kits (tents, plastic sheets, poles, and a hammer), and livelihood support, including construction trades training and livestock development.

Contributions for continued quake recovery in Pakistan are urgently needed. Read more.

Children living with family members in four narrow wooden barracks on the outskirts of Banda Aceh have been taking part in Fun and Educational Activities in Tents (FEAT) activities in Cot Gue village. FEAT gatherings are part of the CWS psychosocial program, which is partially funded by a grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development/Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance.

Twelve-year-old Ramadhan is one of the children being helped. He explains that he had been swept up by the tsunami, and survived by holding onto a log.

Ramadhan says that, since joining the program, the playing and singing with the other children has helped his fear decrease little by little. He says he had been entertained with the games, singing, drawing, dancing, and playing.

Ramadhan's mother, Kemala Anshari, affirms that there has been a change in her son's behavior. "He used to be a lonely child due to his terrible experience in the tsunami. He was without friends. Now he looks joyful and is willing to talk to you. We feel very grateful to CWS staff and volunteers who truthfully guided and taught our children back to a normal state of mind. Our children are not only helped to heal, but they are also given books, clothes, and milk," she adds.

Though the FEAT activities are ending, CWS psychosocial services are entering a new phase in which trained members of the community will be able to take over providing care and activities. The establishment of reading centers for children is also part of CWS's plan. Any children with persistent signs of trauma will be included in new activities of smaller groups or referred to psychological professionals.

Support the Tsunami recovery efforts.

Some 3,000 sweet potato farmers in six villages in southeastern Tanzania are gaining a better, high yielding variety of sweet potato, with the help of CWS. CWS partner, Trust for Rural Food and Development, is establishing 60 acres of village-level multiplication sites, thus providing sweet potato farmers with a local supply of good quality vines. Through village meetings, awareness seminars and field demonstrations, the farmers are learning how to increase their crop production and improve marketing of their sweet potatoes.

Your prayers and support - and your participation in CROP WALKS and the TOOLS & BLANKETS Program - make possible these and other life sustaining programs. For information on how to get involved, please call your Church World Service/CROP Regional Office toll-free at 1-888-CWS-CROP, that's 1-888-297-2767.

For information about free loan videos, please call 1-800-297-1516, ext. 338, or e-mail us at: videos@churchworldservice.org.

Back to top