from the horizon

I’ll be honest. I spend a lot of my time stuck behind a computer. Part of me wonders how much value I am here, the other part reassures me that the procedures I’m drafting and the systems I’m setting up are important for everyone to do their jobs more effectively and efficiently. But there are times when I don’t know if I’m really needed here, I question whether the work I’m doing is actually of any value, and I wonder what on earth I’m doing over here, away from my family, friends and all the comforts of home.

Then there was an issue in the one of our field offices, and I got to go into the field.

In this case the field meant Kashmir, in particular a small town called Danna. It wasn’t until I crossed the border that I realized how amazing this was. I was in Kashmir, a place until know I only knew from new broadcasts. To be precise I was in AJK – Free Kashmir, although I’m sure the Indians refer to it as occupied Kashmir! Don’t worry Mum, I was about 170 km from the border (but I didn’t see any house boats).

The area is beautiful, huge mountain ranges in every direction, snow capped mountains off in the horizon. Houses scattered through out the mountains. Peaceful and picturesque. The photos don’t do it justice!

This was the first time that I had seen the destruction of the earthquake. It was easy to see how the stone and mud houses, which people had lived in were simply shaken apart.

It was interesting to compare it to the Tsunami damage in Aceh. On initial comparison the damage wasn’t as severe. In Aceh there was a strip of destruction all around the coastline. A kilometer or two in which only foundations of buildings or possibly a washed out structure were left standing. Pools of water lay of land which had been reclaimed by the sea. The hills were bare of foliage up to a tide line left by the waves. In Kashmir the destruction didn’t seem as great. Houses had been destroyed, but there wasn’t such the scar on the landscape. And were I was, the destruction wasn’t that apparent, as the houses were very spread out. But the difference is deceptive. First some numbers:

Tsunami (In Indonesia)
Killed: 150,000 approx
Displaced: 500,000

Earthquake (In Pakistan)
Killed: 87,350
Homeless: 3.3 million

The thing is that these destroyed houses are spread out all through these vast mountains. I guess it doesn’t make that dramatic news footage, but it does creates a logistical nightmare. In Aceh the reconstruction was happening around the coast. The UN had arranged landing crafts, which arrived at a beach with trucks ready to roll off full of supplies. In Pakistan the destruction is spread over a massive area. The terrain is difficult, the roads – if there are roads – are winding and often in poor condition, the communities are spread out – and did I mention it snows here in winter? The reconstruction effort required here should not be underestimated.

While working in the field I didn’t have so much uncertainty about why I’m here. When I’m visiting the schools we’re trying to get the supplies to rebuild, I’m not so doubtful of the value I’m adding. This was only a short visit, but it did give my spirits a lift. I managed to address the issues and come up with a solution.

But now I’m back, to sit in front of my computer, write up a report, and try and help to put some systems in place to make sure these sorts of issues don’t happen again.