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Pakistan Quake Recovery: One Hero's Story

Earthquake survivor Tufail Photo: Church World Service Pakistan/Afghanistan

June 15, 2006

More than half a year since the October 8, 2005, earthquake, stories of ordinary people who have shown extraordinary courage continue to pour in. They tell tales of real and living heroes who thrill and inspire earthquake survivors and relief workers alike. One such hero is earthquake survivor Tufail, aged 33, who used to be a confectionery shop owner. He is a resident of Billiani village located near the remains of Balakot city.

Recounting the horror of the immediate aftermath of the quake, he describes how he was standing outside his shop when the quake jolted every single building of his native village. "By the very first jolt, most of the schools and houses came down with a roar and dust was rising to the skies. For some time, I thought I was dreaming. Through good fortune I survived the brute shocks, together with my home and my shop."

Tufail recalls how the air was full of grief and loss. Many people were buried beneath the rubble. Most of them were suffering from fractures or other serious injuries. "One could not count the casualties--most of them were women and children," he says and explains that they could be heard crying from pain or thirst. "I just kept wandering between the fallen houses--I didn't know what to do..."

As Tufail came out of his dazed state, he thought he should do something for someone: "I knew I might not be able to save many lives, but if only I could save a single one it would mean the world to me." He realized that two things were needed--one being first aid medicines and the other being clean drinking water. Everybody was either bleeding or thirsty.

Tufail remembered having a first aid box at his home. He rushed home to fetch the box and grabbed what medicine he could find at his shop before rushing out to give what aid he could to whomever he could find. "It was difficult because I am not a doctor... But I had to do the best I could, and when I was able to stop the profuse bleeding of a six-year-old child I felt a sense of joythat is impossible to share. It encouraged me to try to reach more needy people and I was able to help five more injured people."

But as the number of injured soared, Tufail soon ran out of drugs and remedies. Then an idea dawned on him and he ran towards the medical store located in the main bazaar of Balakot city. The store had collapsed as well and the owner of the shop was quietly standing over the debris in a state of shock. Tufail searched the debris to find whatever remedies might be unscathed. Having collected bandages, antiseptics, and other medicines from the debris, he hurried back to provide assistance to the mostly female and infant victims. "In about 3 hours I was able to control the bleeding of at least 15 people," explains Tufail.

Tufail also organized a handful of youngsters for providing water to those who were badly injured. They found it in the tanker that was the only source of the village's drinking water. Although it was damaged under the tremors, the youths climbed into the tank in order to draw the water... On the day after the quake, Tufail helped cook food and feed as many surviving families aspossible until emergency services and rescue workers arrived to the scene. Without people like Tufail--and countless others who remain unnamed--and without their acts of humanity and courage, many survivors might have been victims; many injured might not have survived.

Media Contact:
Lesley Crosson, CWS/New York, 212-870-2676;
Jan Dragin, 781-925-1526;

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