Pakistan

[Dris]

I am watching the news and my heart is breaking for the poor people of Pakistan.

There is now an outbreak of Cholera.

I defy anyone not to be moved by this huge human catastrophe.

Why do people feel more for people in the western world when say a dozen people are affected (a dozen too many as far as I am concerned also).

Is it truly cos 'They is Pa ki's' (for those who are not aware its a take on a contemporary saying not mine)

Lets put Politics aside and be humanitarians.

[Answerprancer]

Totally agree and empathise - well done for posting this.

[Dris]

Cheers AP x
Sad that their cricket team gets more coverage eh?
Says it all :(

[B00]

Isn't the $6 billion they've already recieved, proof enough that some people are being humanitarian?

[123everton]

There is an element of truth in what you're saying, after the tsunami there was a huge whipround for the victims in my depot organised by and with the consent of management.
Haiti, nothing.
Pakistan, nothing.
I asked a while back why sub-continental Asians attract more racist epiphets than others, there's no sane or sensible explaination.

[Dris]

Some B00-very true.
Everton TY -there is a stigma in this country against Pakistanis and anyone who doesnt see if have their eyes painted on.Lucky I dont and I saw the wee girl lying in turd with flies circling her-wee doll she was as well.
Its bleeding shocking.
More people have died than in the 911 which was shocking but it was in America and its imprinted in everyones memories mine included.
I have that wee girl imprinted in my head now and for the life of me I cant escape it=-wonder who feels the same hmm ??

[hc4361]

Dris, I honestly don't believe UK people are against Pakistanis in particular. There are many ignorant people who cannot and will not distinguish between Pakistanis, Indians, Bengladashis, Nepalese..... They are just ignorant racists who thankfully are a minority of the UK.

However, it is human nature for 'birds of a feather to flock together' and people worldwide naturally feel more empathy for those who are familiar and similar.

The British are no worse nor no better than any other country / race in this aspect. It is fair to say though that Western countries are saturated by 24 hour news and become somewhat jaded at yet another famine / earthquake / disaster in far flung countries when we see very little results from our donations, work, charity.
We tend to be blinkered to the fact that a drought in Ethiopa has as little in common with extreme poverty in Chad as problems in Chechnya to the UK. We clump everything together as 'Africa' or 'Pakistan' or 'India'.
I defy any Brit to recognise a Pakistani from an Indian, Bangladeshi, Nepalese or many other distinct peoples just by looking.
Just as we can't tell a French, German, Dutch, English, Finn, Swede, Belgian apart, if they were all dressed alike.
It annoys me immensely that the P word is used as a derisory term regardless of where that person is from. It is sheer ignorance. Pakistanis are mainly Muslim; Indians are mainly Hindu. Totally different. As different as Christians are from Buddhists.

[hc4361]

These are the images burned on my brain
http://www.google.co....pCZBA&ved=0CBwQ9QEwAA

http://www.google.co....9,r:0,s:0&tx=84&ty=96

And that dreadful photo of a lone man asking if anyone needs help in the wake of the Twin Towers.

[scotman]

Dris

/Why do people feel more for people in the western world when say a dozen people are affected (a dozen too many as far as I am concerned also). /

I don't necessarily think that is always the case but I agree with regard to Pakistan it is usually the view taken. It may have something to do with it being a country that alternates between corrupt military dictatorship and corrupt democratic government and which also prefers to spend money on nuclear weapons rather than sorting out its real problems.
How to fix this? I have no idea.

ps Re Whitehills; I have posted an apology and provided as much correct info as I can. Not one of my better days!

[flobadob]

Just stop watching the news and it will all go away.

[rowanwitch]

I try to give a little to 'medecin sans frontieres' when I can...at least it puts help where it is needed rather than paying for aid that may be 'redirected'

[Davethedog]

I think that the public perception of fundemental Islam has far more to do with the lack of public support than any direct form of racism.

Why save the life of someone who appears to all intents and purposes, at least according to meadia perception, wishes you dead.

My money go's to the NSPCC and there it stays.

[McMouse]

My money goes to the Royal British Legion who do wonderful work for ex-servicemen and their dependents and also to a local hospice charity. I know every penny is put to good use. Even the most reputable charities who send relief aid to disaster areas admit they sometimes have to hand over food, water and medical supplies to the "war lords" who control certain regions as that is the only way to get the stuff in. There is ample evidence that much of this aid gets diverted and is sold on for cash. Send aid to Pakistan and risk it being used to purchase arms to use against our guys in Afghanistan..........I don't think so.

[Davethedog]

Noth - Have been called a leftie on here and a liberal, none of which insult me.

I gave money to the Tsunami victims and other appeals, but the place these floods are, is the place where all the "camps" that train people are.

If I was god fearing, which I am not, I would say this is devine retribution.

Speaking to people, I do not think I am alone with these sentiments.

[naomi24]

I don't think you're alone in those sentiments either Dave. I've spoken to several people about this, none of whom will give for the various reasons expressed here.

[naomi24]

Noth, from the way I'm reading it, I don't think it has been misconstrued. I can't see a problem. I think Dave was agreeing with you.

[TWR]

Human catastrophe, do you not think apart from the floods a lot of lives would be saved if they did not breed like rabbits, I am waiting for the H.R.B to call me & also others on here, Dave, you have it in ONE, what where people saying when 9/11 happened? people have short memories.