Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Faislabad (Agenzia Fides) – At this time of great effort in providing humanitarian aid, “it is of utmost importance that people be attentive to the institution they choose to send money to. In fact, there are false NGOs whose purpose is to speculate and appropriate funds, as well as associations linked to Islamic extremist groups. There are also a growing number of charitable organizations in the Christian world, especially Protestant groups. In Faisalabad alone, there are over 50. My appeal is that they choose Caritas, a credible and transparent institution, official expression of the Catholic Church." This is what Fides was told in an interview with Bishop Joseph Coutts, Bishop of Faisalabad and President of Caritas Pakistan, who is working at the forefront in providing relief to flood victims. Bishop Coutts announced that tomorrow, August 24, the Church of Pakistan will pause to pray for the flood victims and refugees.
How is Caritas working on the humanitarian aid effort?
The Church of Pakistan, through Caritas, has mobilized its resources at all levels. We are in contact with the network of Caritas Internationalis and we also benefit from the valuable help sent from other Caritas offices in other countries, all of which makes for a great common effort. But locally, even schools, parishes, small Christian institutions throughout the country are doing their best, providing facilities for shelter, collecting food, and aid. Our commitment continues alongside civil institutions, which seek to coordinate efforts.
Have you heard of the discrimination of Christian refugees who were excluded from the aid?
Although in painful times like these, solidarity is always the most important, it is possible that such discrimination occurs in some areas, where the Christian minorities are already persecuted and excluded. This will mean great suffering for them and we will try in every way to alleviate it. In any case, the response of Caritas is love without conditions: we lend assistance and relief to all refugees without discrimination, and 99% are Muslims. Our spirit is that of the Good Samaritan, who did not check the man's identity card before he helped him.
Have you received information on human trafficking, especially in children, among the displaced?
The phase that we are living in is very sensitive: the exodus continues, as they organize the aid. It is possible that criminal organizations involved in child trafficking have infiltrated. We ask the government and the police to observe this phenomenon closely, as it could add on to the suffering of the natural disaster, especially for children.
What would you tell donors who wish to help?
I would warn of some risks. They should be very careful of what institutions they choose to support. There are, in fact, false NGOs whose purpose is to speculate and appropriate funds, as well as associations linked to Islamic extremist groups. There are also a growing number of charitable organizations in the Christian world, especially Protestant groups. In Faisalabad alone, there are over 50. My appeal is that they choose Caritas, a credible and transparent institution, official expression of the Catholic Church.
Is the Christian community also active on a spiritual level?
Prayer is very important to us, as even the painful events can lead us back to the relationship with God. Tomorrow, August 24, as the Pakistani Bishops' Conference, we have organized in all the churches in the nation a special prayer vigil for the flood victims, for the dead and for the refugees. We ask all Christians worldwide to join in this prayer, to support and pray for those who are devoting themselves wholeheartedly to help the displaced. In this, we thank the Holy Father for his prayers and his appeals for the Pakistani people.
What problems will there be in the coming months?
The main problem is that of food safety: a harvest has been destroyed by floods, and many farming families have lost their stored supplies for the coming months. But, if the flooding does not fall quickly, they will also lose the next harvest, the fall harvest, which means a food shortage with great suffering, hunger and misery for thousands of families. Also, thousands of cattle have perished. They were the only source of survival for many families. You also have to take into account the fact that the water is still flooding the plains, towns, and villages. It is not potable and is a source of infection, and thus, there is a serious risk to which millions of people are exposed. International intervention is urgently needed in order to prevent these catastrophes. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 23/8/2010)
