I have recently returned from Pakistan where I spent 5 days travelling, on behalf of the BHMF (Brighton and Hove Muslim Forum).
The BHMF, for its charitable work on the earthquake, associated itself with various Muslim Aid.
I visited the earthquake area as an independent observer to see how Muslim Aid are helping those whose lives have been so dramatically changed by the earthquake that struck Pakistan on the 8th of October with such remarkable ferocity.
We used the Sony PD-250 camera to record onto DSR 3 hour tapes. The recorded material is.JPG)
The BHMF, for its charitable work on the earthquake, associated itself with various Muslim Aid.
I visited the earthquake area as an independent observer to see how Muslim Aid are helping those whose lives have been so dramatically changed by the earthquake that struck Pakistan on the 8th of October with such remarkable ferocity.
We used the Sony PD-250 camera to record onto DSR 3 hour tapes. The recorded material is
.JPG)
about 8 hours long. I also made a personal recording of my visit from Heathrow to Pakistan not just on the above tapes but also on six Mini DV tapes as well. There is also audio material on MP3, as well as a hand written diary.
My aim is to bring to the notice of the British Muslims and non Muslims, the situation as it remains and the plight of those people whose lives have been changed for ever by the greatest earthquake to have hit our planet.
My aim is to bring to the notice of the British Muslims and non Muslims, the situation as it remains and the plight of those people whose lives have been changed for ever by the greatest earthquake to have hit our planet.
As an independent observer my first port of call was Islamabad. Here I saw for my self how Muslim Aid is helping those whose lives have been devastated. Those who experienced the tremors described the earthquake as the arrival of “Day of Judgement”. In this area Muslim Aid is looking after 300 tents that house about 2,300 people. As well as observing and recording what was going on, my aim was also to offer aid from the Money raised by BHMF from the Brighton and Hove area.
As we moved towards Abbottabad, we passed Mansehra on our way. We stopped at the Ayub.JPG)
Medical centre and spoke to medical staff from Australian, Africa, Malaysia and Poland, all of whom were working in the field hospital that was set up in the grounds of the medical centre. Among other victims, we saw children whose feet and legs had been cut off. We then drove on towards Balakot but stopped at a number of camps. This gave us another chance to talk to the locals to see and hear directly from them as to how they are coping in the aftermath of the earthquake.
We arrived late that night in Balakot and recorded a town in ruins. I can only imagine that Dresden was in such a state after being bombed by the Allies. This area was loved by the affluent for its scenic beauty; the rugged mountains, the gushing rivers and for the buildings that were built into the side of mountains were now all rubble. Five star hotels had turned into dust, hamlet had disappeared without trace and a flowing river that had changed its route..JPG)
We arrived late that afternoon and saw Muzaffarabad from about 2000 feet up, a city built into the valleys of some of the most beautiful mountain ranges, with a river that winds around it like a snake. An area perhaps 10 times greater in size to that of Balakot. Immediately our attention was drawn to a number of areas where tents had been erected. In some cases there were over a hundred tents in each area.
Here was perhaps the greatest damage as every where we drove we saw signs of the earthquake. Hundreds of building, café’s restaurants, and shops told their own story as every where cracks were seen. Even the army was not spared and hundreds of soldiers were buried under a mountain slide. The devastation is so great that I do not believe there are sufficient words that.JPG)
one can use to describe what has happened to this area. Nothing any one can say that will make one realise the extent of the damage. It has to be seen to be believed. You, as some one who has already been there can appreciate this.
Two days after we left Muzaffarabad there was a small tremor which resulted in about twenty little homes that were built on the side of the mountain sliding down. All the inhabitants were killed along with 7 others who were caught up in this.
During our journey we spoke to many people about many issues; the locals themselves and how they are surviving, international and National NGO’s about how reconstruction is going and doctors and medical workers from all over the world; Cuba, Malaysia and , Australia and Africa.
We also conversed with child psychologists about the emotional impact affecting the children. We chatted to a building expert from the USA and to the Major General from the Pakistan Army who is directly involved.
We hope to return in October once again where we will see what has happened after one year has lapsed.
If you are interested in the footage, please let me know and I can arrange for it to be sent to Islam Channel. Please note, we are happy for people to use the footage but the copyright belongs to BHMF.
As we moved towards Abbottabad, we passed Mansehra on our way. We stopped at the Ayub
.JPG)
Medical centre and spoke to medical staff from Australian, Africa, Malaysia and Poland, all of whom were working in the field hospital that was set up in the grounds of the medical centre. Among other victims, we saw children whose feet and legs had been cut off. We then drove on towards Balakot but stopped at a number of camps. This gave us another chance to talk to the locals to see and hear directly from them as to how they are coping in the aftermath of the earthquake.We arrived late that night in Balakot and recorded a town in ruins. I can only imagine that Dresden was in such a state after being bombed by the Allies. This area was loved by the affluent for its scenic beauty; the rugged mountains, the gushing rivers and for the buildings that were built into the side of mountains were now all rubble. Five star hotels had turned into dust, hamlet had disappeared without trace and a flowing river that had changed its route.
.JPG)
We arrived late that afternoon and saw Muzaffarabad from about 2000 feet up, a city built into the valleys of some of the most beautiful mountain ranges, with a river that winds around it like a snake. An area perhaps 10 times greater in size to that of Balakot. Immediately our attention was drawn to a number of areas where tents had been erected. In some cases there were over a hundred tents in each area.
Here was perhaps the greatest damage as every where we drove we saw signs of the earthquake. Hundreds of building, café’s restaurants, and shops told their own story as every where cracks were seen. Even the army was not spared and hundreds of soldiers were buried under a mountain slide. The devastation is so great that I do not believe there are sufficient words that
.JPG)
one can use to describe what has happened to this area. Nothing any one can say that will make one realise the extent of the damage. It has to be seen to be believed. You, as some one who has already been there can appreciate this.Two days after we left Muzaffarabad there was a small tremor which resulted in about twenty little homes that were built on the side of the mountain sliding down. All the inhabitants were killed along with 7 others who were caught up in this.
During our journey we spoke to many people about many issues; the locals themselves and how they are surviving, international and National NGO’s about how reconstruction is going and doctors and medical workers from all over the world; Cuba, Malaysia and , Australia and Africa.
We also conversed with child psychologists about the emotional impact affecting the children. We chatted to a building expert from the USA and to the Major General from the Pakistan Army who is directly involved.We hope to return in October once again where we will see what has happened after one year has lapsed.
If you are interested in the footage, please let me know and I can arrange for it to be sent to Islam Channel. Please note, we are happy for people to use the footage but the copyright belongs to BHMF.
No comments:
Post a Comment