BPCA’S Mehwish Bhatti visited families, provided food parcels. and prayed with them.
At least 300 people were confirmed dead and more than 2,000 were reported injured in the aftermath of the massive 8.1 magnitude earthquake which hit northern
Afghanistan and Pakistan on Monday, 26 October, 2015. The majority of injuries were minor despite the magnitude of the earthquake reportedly
being the most severe in Pakistan’s history. The whole of Pakistan was affected by the devastating tremors, but thankfully remarkably few
Christians were affected. After a few days reports came to us via victims desperate for help, and our Lead Officer in Pakistan, Mehwish Bhatti, visited
the affected communities this week.
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The affected areas include Phandu in Peshawar, Nowshera and Nanogil colony in Risalpur and areas around the Kabul River.
Mehiwsh met with several Christian families in these areas and assessed the damage. Properties have become very unstable with fault lines appearing
in the already poorly rendered properties. The properties were built often by inadequately experienced builders working on a tight budget,
so it is no surprise that damage ensued during this most recent natural disaster. Christians in these areas eke out a miserable
existence, poverty is compounded with harsh weather conditions, but they make the most of it and maintain faith that God will continue to provide for
them.
Victims complained about government negligence towards them as the families have been facing extremely severe discrimination in this highly talibanised
area. Families spoke of having to educate their daughters at home to avoid their kidnap by Taliban soldiers who despise the notion of education
for a perceived valueless gender. Moreover they have had protection money extorted from them by Taliban soldiers, an act of subjugation
sanctioned within Islam and termed Jizya tax. Families find it hard enough to make ends meet and are now also faced with huge unaffordable repair bills
following the earthquake.
Pervaiz Masih spoke to the BPCA and described his concerns over the persecution his family is facing, especially his daughter.
He said:
” In Kpk we Christians feel very isolated. We are facing daily persecution and no-one cares about the stress we are suffering – not even the church. My daughter Shiza, who was studying for her Masters degree, was falsely accused of cheating in her exam. She was innocent and explained that it was one of the Muslim girls, but as the only Christian girl in the school she was targeted, blamed, and expelled. My daughter has wasted one year of her life and will no doubt waste more. We struggled to raise the money to educate her when we realised she was so academic. She had the chance to escape this poverty and to help her family too. but local Muslims envied her and now we have lost all our investment.”
Pervaiz Masih described how recently a Christian woman was beaten by Muslims on her wedding day, in retaliation for a minor squabble between small
Muslim children and Christian children. In the attack several Christian women were beaten and their gold jewellery snatched in broad daylight.
When Christian leaders tried to highlight this issue to the government, whilst seeking protection and justice they were met with complete insouciance.
Pervaiz Masih also explained to the BPCA that his son has graduated in the sciences but is forced to work as a sweeper despite his obvious academic prowess.
Mr Masih alleges that all government jobs are obtained by those who either have money or have links in government. This is extremely disconcerting
as it clearly illustrates the government failure to enact the 5% quota of jobs for minorities, choosing to provide that quota for menial work rather
than the more illustrious careers, that campaigners had expected of the ruling. Mr Masih said:
“Christians are not getting any favour from the government not even on merit.”
Furthermore Pervaiz Masih expressed his grievances over the role of the established church. Apparently both the Catholic Church and Church of
Pakistan have fellowships in KPK, but they failed to report the damaged houses to media, NGOs or the government. Of course the damage to some
houses is worse than others, but our photographic evidence illustrates that there is a mxture of severe structural damage and minor cosmetic damage.
All the victims are unable to afford repairs and the BPCA would like to assist these forgotten communities. Mehwish has listed the concerns
and images follow after the appeal at the bottom of this story.
Peshawar Phandu area
In Peshawar about 3 or 4 houses are affected in Phandu area. Where the walls of houses are damaged and urgent repair is required. The cracks in the
walls are dangerous for the stability of house.
Nowshera Kabul River
In Nowshera 5 to 6 houses are damaged due to earthquake.
Risalpur Nanonigal Colony
Nanonigal colony is one of the Christian colonies in Risalpur constructed by Catholic Sisters. There are 25 houses in Nanonigal colony and out of
25 houses, 8 houses are heavily damaged. The back walls of these houses are damaged and got cracked out due to the earthquake. Repairs to walls, ceilings
and roof need to be done here.
The residents of this colony already appealed to the Catholic sisters for help but no response has been given to them yet.
On her travels Mehwish was often viewed suspiciously and was accosted by several Pathan men who could tell by her dress and manner she was not from the
area. Although grilled several times she continued in her arduous and precarious endeavour determined to reach needy Christian communities.
The BPCA would like to continue to help victims with more immediate concerns such as food parcels to help them through the coming months, warm clothes
to survive the extremely harsh winter in this affected area, and any ongoing medical costs that they will be left with after the emergency team pull
out.
We would also like to share some audio bibles with people and we are in the process of purchasing 60 that will be given to those affected by the recent
floods, and now this earthquake. If you would like to help with donations towards the cost of this aid relief then please read below.
Please pray:
For consolation for families who have lost loved ones and those survivors who are injured to make a fast recovery
Jesus’ love and the Gospel will be shown as aid and audio bibles are distributed amongst victims of other faiths.
Affected families will be able to have their houses repaired before the cold weather really sets in.
The government will see the need to alert people quickly to the threat of earthquakes and to put action plans in place.
Proverbs 19: 17-19: “He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord,
And He will pay back what he has given.”
Please give to our disaster appeal. Your donation can be sent using these bank details:
Payee: BPCA
Sort Code: 20-44-22
Account number: 43163318
Bank: Barclays
Ref: Love for Pakistan: Urgent Earthquake Response
For international donations please use these details:
IBAN: GB62 BARC 20442243163318
SWIFTBIC: BARCGB22
Alternatively you can use the PayPal facility on the top right hand corner of our blog, our PayPal email address is info@britishpakistanichristians.org.
Cheques should be made payable to the BPCA to our address: 57 Green Lane, Ilford, Essex, IG1 1XG.
BRITISH PAKISTANI CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION is a trading name for BRITISH PAKISTANI CHRISTIANS LTD which is a charity entered onto the Register of Charities with the Registered Charity Number 1163363
Thank you.
With your support we hope to change the lives of millions of Pakistani Christians.
