Pakistan Relief Blog 5: Aid for Survivors
by Kumar Periasamy
CHARSADDA, Pakistan – Mohammed had a look of sadness on his face. Every time I asked him a question he would answer me in a sentence without any emotions. The flood destroyed his life savings. His four children and wife were able to grab whatever they could from their house when the water came. Now he sits at the graveyard under a tent without a job and without a future. I did my best to talk to him and to his children, but Mohammad still had his stern look.
I noticed a few kids under a tent. One of them was calling me over, so I went to see what they wanted. He pointed to the camera for a picture, and I took one of the boy. He was so happy that he had his other friends stand next to him for another picture. Soon he wanted me to take more pictures with his kite and a small container of water cans.
I remembered that I had taken a picture of this same boy before, while he was carrying some water. I tried to talk to him but he only smiled. I came to realize that he had a speech problem. Because of his disability, people used him as a water boy. His name is Daud.
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At the medical clinic, a young woman with her 3-year-old son was patiently waiting to see the doctor. I was busy taking pictures when I heard a hissing sound, “Hsss, hsss!” I turned and saw that it was a young man calling his wife—the woman with her son. He seemed to be in a hurry, and with his facial expressions, requested that she see the doctor soon. So she pushed herself and was able to get in front of the line. This brought to my mind a woman I met who laughed when her name was asked at a medical camp. She could not remember when the last time someone called her name. Her husband only called her “Hey, hey,” or sometimes “Donkey.”
We started this morning at 9 a.m. working with the medical team from our partner organization Humedica. While on the road to a place called Charsadda, we were flagged down by the police. Six policemen approached us, and each one had a specific task. They checked the car’s papers, the chasse number, the trunk, and took a look at the passengers too. The check was over quickly and they were soon gone. We were stopped twice today, but it seemed like a normal routine.
As we arrived at the entrance of the city, a police escort took us to the camp. With flashing lights and sirens, the escort provided us with a smooth trip through the heavy traffic. Once at the camp, we were told that a bomb had exploded on the route we were supposed to take. But for some reason we had taken a different route—it must have been your prayers.
Charsadda was one of the worst hit areas for flooding, where the water level was up to 10 feet. About 80 percent of the homes made out of mud and straw were completely destroyed. Many took refuge at the graveyard, which was on higher ground. That’s where we were today with the Humedica team providing healthcare to men, women and children. View more photos
Scabies, infection, and diarrhea were the main complaints of the patients. Operation Blessing’s partner Humedica did a wonderful job by taking time with each patient. The doctors talked with them, laughed with the children, and dressed their severe wounds. I have seen local doctors who won’t touch the people of low caste in the village. They would often just prescribe medicine without checking any of the patient’s symptoms. But this was different; this was about caring and loving the people regardless of who they are.
It was a hot day, but the Humedica team was able to see more than 100 patients. There were some serious cases, which were referred to the hospital, but overall the people at the camp were so happy to have their medical needs taken care of.
In reflecting back on the stories of Mohammad who lost his life savings, to Daud who has a speech disability, and to the young wife and mother who lives a harsh life… one thing that changed their attitude was a simple word of encouragement and love. I gave Mohammed a hug and saw tears come to his eyes; I played with Daud and made him feel special; and I prayed for the young woman and her son to be well. This is what Operation Blessing is all about—showing the love of Jesus in word, deed and action. This is what we did today with the Humedica team.
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Tags: Charsadda, Disaster Relief, Flood Relief, Humedica, Kumar Periasamy, Medical Aid, medical clinic, Medical Relief, Middle East, OBI, Operation Blessing, Pakistan, Pakistan Flood, Relief Camp, Tent City
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