KASHMIR EARTHQUAKE: RELIEF WORK

Yakjah Reconciliation and Development Network, a loose network of Kashmiri professionals based in New Delhi, Kashmir and Jammu, in collaboration with Indian Social Institute, New Delhi as a small, yet heart felt effort to bring warmth, succor and comfort to the survivors of 8th October earthquake in Kashmir, provided relief material for the people of Tangdhar. Sheet tins and blankets were distributed to residents of Prada, Chatkadiyan and Panjtara in Karnah Tehsil on 9th December 2005. This initiative would not have been possible without the support of some compassionate individuals and organizations. We thank them for helping the people in these villages, survive a harsh and severe winter.

The experience of reaching out to people who were devastated and traumatized by the disaster was a humbling and learning one. We learnt how in the face of natural calamity, humanity rose and triumphed to show solidarity and compassion. We also learnt how even at the time of grief and loss, peoples’ faith in God withstood. The magnitude of the tragedy destroyed their lives, but their undying spirit together with the wave of humanity which rose to offer them support and care, dwarfed the tragedy considerably.

It was overwhelming to see Kashmiris even in the times of manifest violence, when they themselves are reeling under the impact of guns and bullets and even when their everyday life is touched with fear and apprehensions, with deep solidarity, from every nook and corner of the Valley collecting and donating relief material. It was equally heartening to see images of the Indian Army, forgetting their own loss and damage becoming the guardian angels of the people in shock and distress. And so was the over pouring of relief from different parts of the country. Scores and scores of trucks carrying relief material were seen plying on the Valley roads to meet the winter deadline. Organizations from different faiths participated with kind and quiet vigor. And what perhaps was also commendable was the way our media friends rose to the occasion, covering violent incidents as well as the earthquake, thereby bringing forth the tragedy as it continued to unfold. Of course there remains room for correction from the Government, NGOs and business houses and much more work has to be done. In this context, our work in this ocean of human love is like a small drop, nevertheless a step towards redeeming the pain of thousands who lost their love ones and became homeless in seconds.

The possibility of an intervention in Prada and its surrounding villages by Yakjah emerged when New Delhi based WISCOMP (Women in Security, Conflict Management and Peace) an initiative of Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, provided an opportunity to go for an initial survey to the earthquake-affected villages. Fortunately, also eager to visit the region was Dr.Jimmy Dabhi, Director Indian Social Institute, New Delhi and Dr. Yoginder Sikand, Bangalore based scholar. Their strength in bringing together resources for the intervention is deeply appreciated. Young volunteers Adil Rashid Vaid and Sartaj Ahmed Thakur from Human Welfare Helpline, Bijbehara along with Yakjah volunteers including a young Mass Communication and Multi media graduate student from Baramulla Degree College, also accompanied the group.


However it was a heart-rending story by Mir Ehsaan, a reporter with Indian Express in Srinagar who had voiced the adversaries of Prada and other villages in Karnah that rolled the initiative. He had been the first person in rain and hail to reach Prada and report the condition of the village. A phone call to him and the information that he provided opened the first door for reaching out to the people of Karnah.

Farid, a resident of Prada studying for his graduation in Srinagar accompanied the group to Prada. After a daylong travel, the group reached Chamkote near Tangdhar. With no where to stay for the night, it was 3 Punjab, inspite of their bunkers and quarters damaged in the earthquake, who offered hospitality and safety in the temporary tents pitched in the helicopter landing ground. They made sure that our stay was comfortable and gave background information of the villages, the extent of damage and options for intervention.


Next day the group proceeded to Prada, which is on a link road almost eight kilometers from Chamkote, a village in Karnah Tehsil. However the road to Prada and some other villages in the area have been destroyed during the earthquake. In the absence of a motorable road, Prada and its adjacent villages are cut off and inaccessible. Hence no relief had reached these villages. The only help that the villages had received at that point of time was only from the army.


The only way to reach Prada was to trek the hill along the Qazi Nag Nath Nala. . When the group reached Prada, the people were very happy. The devastation in the village was heart wrenching. Each and every house was flattened, including the schools, Anganwadis and Masjid. A meeting of the villagers was organized and their requirements noted. For regularizing and streamlining any intervention in future a relief committee of seven members, including three women was formed. Two of them were from the two Aganwadi centers and one of them was a teacher. It was not too difficult to involve women in the process. The relief committee after consultation with the group decided and communicated that tin sheets should be distributed to 199 households in Prada and 20 in Chatkadiyan.


After coming back to New Delhi, appeals for donations were issued. While Indian Social Institute with the help from CARITAS, made the major contribution, Yakjah received support from many individuals and organizations. It needs to be mentioned that Yakjah could not have been able to contribute if friends from Taiwan, Kashmir, Pune and New Delhi had not supported the initiative. Yakjah has also facilitated distribution of around 1500 blankets in Tangdhar and Uri till now. There are plans to distribute some more in the Uri sector.

The responsibility of coordinating and distribution of the Tin Sheets fell on the young shoulders of Basit Umer Shah. He along with S. Humayun Malik, Zee camera person went to Tangdhar and distributed the relief material to four villages. The distribution was done from 3 Punjab Base in Chamkote.

In upholding the values of transparency and accountability, Yakjah would like to share with the people of Tangdhar and Uri as well those who supported us, details of the distribution. In Prada 199 families were provided with six tin sheets and eight blankets each. In Chatkadiyan thirty families received six –eight tin sheets and five blankets each. In Panjtara total number of vulnerable families identified were twenty-six. They received six tin sheets each. One family each in Gandi Gujran and Dildar, Kandi were identified and provided with six tin sheets and three plus two blankets. The relief effort incurred expenses of six lakhs and sixty seven thousand, which includes cost of tin sheets, transport charges, loading and unloading, sumo fare, logistics and telephone expenses. The amount of money already given to Tin Sheet dealer is five lakhs. All other expenses have been cleared. The balance of one lakh and thirty two hundred to the Tin Sheet dealer is still due. Out of this fifty six thousand has been raised. Yakjah and ISI intend and hope to raise rest of the money. All support and help is welcome in this regard.

The blankets besides being distributed in Tangdhar were also provided to villagers of Dhani Saidan, Uri on 25th December 2005 by Aamir Ali, volunteer with Voluntary Health Association of India. He distributed 500 blankets. Villagers of Joola and Kalgi in Uri received 320 blankets by Human Welfare Helpline, Bijbehara on 21st December 2005. These blankets were given by CASA. Yakjah facilitated the distribution.

There is a need to reach out to many other villages and families in acute distress. Children have to be provided shoes, socks, caps and gloves. There is an urgent requirement for heating. As the Anganwadis are not functional, children’s’ daily nutritional requirement has also to be addressed. During this process we learnt how people and organizations could synergise, unite and come together for a common cause. In continuing the same strength and spirit we encourage compassionate donors and business houses to come forward and lend a caring hand for the people of Tangdhar and Uri. Through this column we also urgently convey to the State government’s concerned departments the appeal of the people of Prada in Karnah to build a road to their village and from people of Dullanja in Uri to build a bridge over river Jhelum. In the absence of this infrastructure, relief and rehabilitation in these villages would be an extremely uphill task. Yakjah can be contacted at ashima.kaul@gmail.com and Indian Social Institute can be contacted at jimmydabhi@gmail.com