Mahammad Ashraf (l) and Mumir Hussain are learning carpentry at one of the Church World Service training centers for people affected by the earthquake in Pakistan. Photo: Mark Beach/MCC

If 2005 was the year of the disaster, 2006 may well prove to be the year of recovery.

Story by Chris Herlinger/CWS

Faced with at least three large-scale emergencies -- the tsunami that crippled many areas on the Indian Ocean at the end of 2004, Katrina and other hurricanes that battered the southern United States, and the October 2005 earthquake that devastated parts of northern Pakistan -- Church World Service programs both inside and outside the U.S. were nearly stretched to capacity in 2005.

"It was a difficult year," says Rev. John L. McCullough, CWS Executive Director. "But throughout the world, CWS staff rose to the occasion, meeting challenges as never before."
This year, CWS is facing new challenges: Long-term recovery from these major disasters will take time and continued support. But recovery efforts are central to CWS work -- and will take priority this year.

PAKISTAN

Months after a powerful earthquake hit northern Pakistan, in October -- killing 73,000 and leaving more than a million people homeless -- Church World Service and other humanitarian organizations have encountered a host of challenges. One of them: harsh winter weather.

But that's just one of a series of obstacles, says Marvin Parvez, director of Church World Service-Pakistan/Afghanistan.

"It has been a challenge from day one to respond to this emergency because of the high terrain, culture, security -- all the challenges you can imagine," he says, emphasizing that Church World Service aid teams on the ground have been rushing to meet the needs of thousands of survivors in camps and mountain villages, especially those at higher altitudes being cut off by winter weather and snow. Despite the hazards of weather and geographic isolation, aid has gotten through, Parvez reports. Still, he adds, "It's a constant battle for these survivors."

Shelter has been a major focus for Church World Service in the initial phases of its operation. Following its distribution of more than 19,000 tents and 6,130 sheets in the first several months, the Pakistan staff turned to other winter essentials, distributing, among other items, blankets it recently received from members of the Geneva-based consortium Action by Churches Together.

Church World Service has also supplied camps in the valleys -- where many mountain residents are quickly moving to -- with blankets, plastic sheeting, and personal items, as well as helping to make water and sanitation facilities available.

At CWS's tent village in Bisyan, near Balakot, school and recreation is the order of the day. School is a welcome respite as the children write in their new notebooks, play in the world of the alphabet and numbers, and hope for normalcy to return to their lives.

Many of the children had not received any formal education prior to this. Coming from remote villages, attending school is a source of interest for them, and it helps them overcome the trauma of their loss.

As Church World Service continues to address the desperate emergency and survival needs of quake-affected families, it is concurrently mounting reconstruction plans with affected and homeless survivors, working with families and communities to plan and prepare for their future.

CWS is helping to train many of the camp-dwelling survivors in such trades as carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work --skills that will be essential for the rebuilding process. And, through its psychosocial program, CWS is working to help people living in tent camps to regain the confidence to face the challenges of reclaiming their lives and livelihoods.