Why do earthquakes and fires attract more donations than floods and famines?
In 2010, the world responded differently to two major catastrophes.
The devastating earthquake that flattened much of Haiti killed an estimated 250,000. The floods in Pakistan killed far fewer people, perhaps 2,000, but the number of people affected - who now need food, shelter and clothing to face a harsh Pakistani winter - was 20 million. The entire population of Haiti is fewer than 10 million people.
"Five weeks after the Haiti earthquake, 48 aid groups polled by the Chronicle of Philanthropy had collected three-quarters of a billion dollars. Five weeks after the flooding in Pakistan, a similar poll found 32 aid groups had collected just $25 million." (NYTimes, Nov. 11, 2010)
ION, with a personal connection, made a personal response to the 2010 Pakistan floods
Pakistani Flood Victims in Mianwali, in the northwest section of the Province of Punjab
Pakistan's devastating earthquake brought help from around the world, including national offices of congregations in the United States. But these photos show a place newly linked to Amherst/Hadley through a Hampshire Mosque member. Javeria Mir's brother-in-law, an officer in the Pakistan army, was assigned responsibility for distributing food and medical supplies in Mianwali.
Informed by Naz Mohamad, ION congregations collected money and supplies to be sent directly to Ms. Mir's brother-in-law for distribution. As people in Mianwali begin to rebuild their homes and their lives, Ms. Mir's sister helps in distributing supplies. The Hampshire Mosque plans another gathering of money and Life Box.
(By the end of October 2010, $3,000 had been donated and sent to Pakistan from the Hampshire Mosque.)
