The Washington Post lays out the political case for increasing aid to the earthquake survivors in Pakistan. Since I first noted that Unicef was asking for donations, I've had occaision to think about the foreign policy aspects of aid to Pakistan, and I've pretty much decided that they're secondary to the need to care for people in a dire situation.
2 Comments:
While it is gratifying to see that that the outside world has responded well to provide the much needed financial help to the suffering victims of the quake by now, it has to be conceded that it has been rather very late in the day as over a month has passed and even by now the temporary shelter by way of tents could not be provided in this biting cold to even 50% of the victims. I t was in fact very shocking that the offer of help within 48 hours of the calamity by way of helicopters by Indian Government was refused by General Musharraf by putting a condition that helicopters should be sent without using Indian Pilots.It amply shows how even in a disaster situations politics was played by Pakistan ,denying immediate succur that could have reached the suffering victims by way of air dropping of food ,medicines ,blankets and inflatable tents from India.
We only hope that the Billons of dollers now received by Govt. of Pakistan does not get mired in simlar politcs and reaches the shivering victims immediately.
Winter is on the doorstep and there is not enough shelter. The problem should have been foreseen and largely solved many weeks ago.
I don't have much to add about politics in Pakistan. Generally I find it deplorable that politics too readily gets in the way of decency or just plain living.
(K.C., I removed an anonymously posted comment that was identical to yours. I assume it was a glitch. You are welcome to post any additional thoughts under your name or anonymously.)
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