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Pakistan Earthquake Survivors: Three case studies

CWS and local partner DOSTI are helping to train some of the quake survivors in masonry, electricity, welding, plumbing, and carpentry. They are being equipped to build new homes for their families and assist community reconstruction efforts. Photo: Chris Herlinger/CWS

June 20, 2006

By CWS staff in Pakistan

'The living do not die along with the dead'

Gull Nasia, 36, lost her husband and oldest son in the October 8, 2005, earthquake.

That morning, Gull was in a light-hearted mood as she woke up to prepare breakfast for her three sons. Her husband was resting, and as she performed her chores around the house, Gull thought it would be just another quiet day at home.

A half hour later, everything had changed. Instead of her usual household duties, Gull was frantically looking for her family in the rubble of what used to be her home.

It took two days for the body of Gull's husband to be located beneath the rubble. She was exhausted from waiting and praying when his body was finally extracted. More painful, however, was the time she had to wait to receive the body of her son--two months later--in order to perform the ritual ceremony and lay her son's soul to rest.

When Gull arrived at the Hassa tent village for people forced from their homes, she was depressed and traumatized from the deaths of her husband and son. All of her property and sources of income were lost. She was left to fend for herself and her two surviving sons, age three and 13.

The Church World Service psychosocial team supported Gull with therapy and counseling. After building trust and establishing a relationship with a staff member, Gull's confidence in sharing and learning with other women in the tent village increased. She has now recovered from her trauma and is inspired to imagine and build a new life for her sons and herself.

Through these challenges, Gull has held to a simple yet powerful truth. "The living do not die along with the dead," she says. That is to say, while the earthquake's victims are no longer here, the survivors very much are, and they have to remember and relearn how to live. This is the message and the hope that she lives by and shares with those around her.

Soon Gull will move from the tent village to begin a new life in Mansehra. She doesn't want to return to her village. Instead, she will pursue a vocation in the trade sector. She is hopeful that her family can heal and prosper--and most importantly, live.

* * *

From devastation to reconstruction

Balakot used to be a bustling city with visitors and tourists pouring in from all over the world. The scenic city center provided a natural gateway to the gushing rivers and lush mountainsides of northern Pakistan, and most people passing through would stop for food or fuel, to hire a jeep, or to stay overnight before continuing their journeys.

Whether engaged in offering provisions or entertainment, many Balakot residents derived their livelihoods from this constant flow of visitors. Mohammed Shafeeq was one of them. He used to prepare and sell traditional Pakistani snacks--samosas and pakoras--in the main bazaar of Balakot's center. Mohammed was the oldest of four siblings and the sole breadwinner of the family.

All of this changed in an instant on that fateful day. On the morning of October 8, 2005, Balakot became known not for its beauty or attraction, but the tremendous destruction unleashed upon it by the South Asia earthquake.

The city was among the most-affected by the quake and had the highest number of casualties and injuries of all places in the North West Frontier Province and Kashmir. More than 80 percent of the infrastructure was entirely destroyed.

The quake caused not only physical damage to buildings, homes, and other structures, but damage to families and lives. Mohammed's home was destroyed, one of his brothers was severely injured, and the source of his family's livelihood collapsed under the debris.

After the earthquake, Mohammed moved with his family to his uncle's village. After a while, he returned to Balakot to search for work. He started working as a loader for various relief agencies and did this throughout the initial response phase as a daily wage worker. In this way he was able to earn some income to support his family.

When the relief work concluded, so did opportunities for people like Mohammed. He did not know where or to whom to turn next. From a friend he learned about the Construction Trade Training Centers (CTTCs), established by Church World Service Pakistan/Afghanistan and its local partner, DOSTI. The CTTCs were established to train young earthquake survivors in five construction trades--masonry, plumbing, welding, carpentry, and electricity. Graduates are equipped to help in the reconstruction of their hometowns, as well as given new skills for rebuilding their livelihoods. Mohammed applied for the training and joined the first class of electricians, in March 2006.

"It is the opportunity of a lifetime for someone like me," said Mohammed while working on his daily assignment at the CTTC in Bissian. He described how comprehensive the course was and how he loved the practical work involved. Mohammed was also eager to obtain a diploma from the North West Frontier Province Technical Board.

Mohammed also mentioned the side benefits he received from his training--meals and a transportation allowance (around 150 rupees/US$2.50 a day), which helped him devote himself to the training and decreased his need to work on the side. As a quick learner and inquisitive student, Mohammed shared his enthusiasm and hope as his graduation approached. He is now in a position where he is not only hopeful but also passionate about securing a better future for himself and his family.

* * *

Living heroes

More than eight months after the October 8, 2005, earthquake, stories of ordinary people who have shown heroism continue to be told. One such person is earthquake survivor Tufail, 33, who used to own a small food shop. He is a native resident of Billiani village, near the devastated 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 building in the village. "With 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. He 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 daze, 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--first aid and clean drinking water. Many people were either bleeding or thirsty.

Tufail remembered his first aid box at home. He rushed home to fetch the box and grabbed whatever medicine he could find at his shop before rushing out to provide assistance 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 joy that 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 people soared, Tufail soon ran out of medicine and remedies. Then an idea came to him, and he ran toward the medical store located in the main bazaar of Balakot city. The store had collapsed, and the owner was quietly standing over the debris in a state of shock. Tufail searched the debris to find any supplies that were intact. Having collected bandages, anticeptic, and other medicines from the debris, he hurried back to provide assistance to the injured, who were mostly women and infants. "In about three hours I was able to control the bleeding of at least 15 people," says Tufail.

Tufail also organized a handful of youngsters to provide water to people who were badly injured. They found some water in the tanker that was the only source of the village's drinking water. Although it was damaged in the tremors, the youths climbed into the tank to get the water. On the day after the quake, Tufail helped cook food and feed families until emergency services and rescue workers arrived. Thanks to people like Tufail and their acts of humanity and courage, many injured people were saved in the earthquake.

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

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