KALAM, Pakistan — The view from an open cargo door aboard a U.S. Marine helicopter showed what the floodwaters have done to this mountain village: Near toppled electricity towers, hotel rooftops severed from their walls lay in the rushing waters of the Swat River. Segments of bridges have been swept away. At one span, only concrete buttresses were left standing.
As the helicopter touched down, Pakistanis with blank, tired faces, some with whatever clothes they could salvage stuffed into plastic bags, desperately waited their turn to be taken to safety.
As the U.S. carries out rescue missions and pours millions of dollars of relief into flood-ravaged Pakistan, Washington hopes the aid will chip away at the deep layers of hatred and mistrust many Pakistanis have for America.
Though the two countries’ governments remain allies in the war on terrorism, Pakistanis have long viewed the United States as an exploitative power interested in controlling their nation.
The floods give the United States a unique opportunity to shore up a crucial alliance even as it pursues a “hearts and minds” campaign, which calls for moving the focus of U.S. aid from Pakistan’s military toward its deep-seated economic and infrastructure woes.
U.S. relief the most
So far, the U.S. has delivered $87 million in relief, and Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., visiting the flood-affected regions, said Thursday that Washington would ratchet up the amount to $150 million.
The U.S. has pledged more in flood assistance to Pakistan than any other country. Fellow Muslim states have been slow to come through, exhibiting a reluctance that one Pakistani newspaper called “shocking.”
Meanwhile, in a move that reflected this nation’s desperate need, Islamabad on Friday agreed to accept $5 million in flood relief from its nuclear archrival and neighbor, India.
Much of the aid coming from the U.S. so far has targeted northwest Pakistan, particularly the Swat Valley, a region that wrested itself from the control of Taliban insurgents a year ago only to become decimated by this summer’s catastrophic monsoon floods.
In Kalam, U.S. CH-53 transport helicopters land as many as eight times a day in a mountain glade to pick up scores of stranded Pakistanis.
On a recent sun-scorched morning, as many as 70 Pakistanis — men, women, toddlers and infants — jammed into the CH-53’s grimy cargo bay, sitting shoulder to shoulder on stacked bags of flour. They carried whatever they could salvage from their mud huts: rugs, luggage, pots and pans and clothes stuffed into small plastic bags.
U.S. helicopters have been rescuing as many as 940 Kalam residents daily while transporting into the town up to 44 tons of wheat flour, cooking oil, tea and other relief goods a day for those yet to be evacuated.
“The U.S. has been doing a good job here,” said Muhammad Din, 27, an infant son cradled in his arm. “This should change people’s minds here about America.”
Suspicions remain
Outside Swat, many Pakistanis say they have not been swayed by the rescue missions and millions of dollars the U.S. has channeled to flood relief. In Islamabad, the capital, Pakistanis talk of an America they say will expect something in return for its helping hand, an America that has neglected Pakistan too many times to make amends.
“If the U.S. gives us aid, only our rulers receive it,” said Muhammad Jamshed, 28, a salesman at an Islamabad clothing shop. “The U.S. wants to win the hearts of people with this aid, but it won’t happen. We do not need this aid. God is here, and he will provide aid to us.”
In Kalam and the rest of Swat, however, the attitude has been very different, said Marine Capt. Paul Duncan, a 38-year-old from Gary, Ind.
“The experience I’ve had so far has been very positive, almost to the point of surprise,” Duncan said. “When you’re hungry, it’s hard to be angry at someone bringing you food.”
How to help flood victims
Millions of people have been affected by the worst monsoon floods in Pakistan’s history. Here are some organizations that are taking donations for the relief effort.
• American Red Cross | 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767) The American Red Cross is expanding its assistance to Pakistan, sending relief supplies such as tarps, blankets and kitchen items and mobilizing relief workers. To donate, call or go online and click “Donate” and “Support Pakistan Relief and Development.”
• CARE | 800-422-7385 In its mission to provide lifesaving aid to flood victims, CARE is supporting health-care teams, mobile clinics and the distribution of emergency supplies. Call or donate online.
• Catholic Relief Services | 800-736-3467 After immediate needs are met, CRS plans cash-for-work projects that pay survivors for their labor on irrigation channels, pathways, retaining walls and other projects that benefit whole communities. Call or donate online.
• Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres) | 888-392-0392 As flooding continues, MSF is increasing its support of hospitals and health-care centers, and is distributing clean water and relief items including sanitation equipment, drugs and logistical material. Click “Donate Now” or call, 24 hours a day.
• Islamic Relief USA | 888-479-4968 Islamic Relief workers are assisting in the evacuation effort, administering aid and helping serve thousands of flood victims, but the need is still immense. Call or donate online.
• Mercy Corps | 888-256-1900 Mercy Corps’ field team is working to provide clean water, staple foods and cleanup tools to hundreds of affected families. Call or donate online.
• Oxfam America | 800-77-OXFAM (800-776-9326). Outside the United States: 617-482-1211 Over the next three months, Oxfam and partners are working to reach more than 650,000 people with rescue services, clean water, sanitation kits and other essential aid. Call or donate online at Oxfam’s Flood Relief and Recovery Efforts in Pakistan.
• Save the Children | 800-728-3843 With programs in Pakistan for 30 years and the capacity to mount a large-scale relief effort, Save the Children is rushing essential aid to children and families. Call or donate online.
• U.N. World Food Program | Despite bad weather and massive destruction to bridges and roads, WFP has been able to deliver a one-month ration of food to more than 370,000 people and hopes to reach more than 2 million in the next 10 days as the operation gains momentum. Visit the Web site and click “How to Help” or “Donate.”
• UNICEF United States Fund | 800-FOR-KIDS (800-367-5437) Six million children are at risk. UNICEF is providing food, clean water and health-care supplies, and has helped to set up 24 medical camps, but more help is desperately needed. Call or donate online.
