In the outskirts of Multan, Punjab, Pakistan© Thomas Schwartz/CARE

By Thomas Schwartz

The Taliban helps flood victims and then publicly praises its own work. This is what I read in the news. In interviews, journalists ask if it is true and I say yes. Of course they publicize their good works. Everybody does who does good deeds for others. But is this the question we should be asking right now? Not for me.

This debate is irrelevant and has nothing to with the reality we face here every day across the country. It’s a typically western obsession, not held by the flood affected people in need. Frankly, I barely understand the connection between the topic and the biggest natural disaster of our time. We should be focusing our attention on how we can provide immediate relief efficiently and effectively to those in need.

I witnessed in Moltan just how CARE is supporting mobile health clinics so that primary health care is accessible to those who need it.

The temperature here is a humid 40 degrees and flies are everywhere. A man shoos them away. Flood victims queue patiently for their turn before registration and immediate medical assistance. The process is quick and efficient and the people here are directly benefiting from this intervention, thanks to the generous donations to CARE’s work.

Moltan lies to the south of Punjab Province where new floods are predicted as monsoon rains continue.

CARE’s warehouses here are all now empty, and as more donations come in we are procuring more supplies to distribute to those in need. Since the floods began we have distributed tents, hygiene kits, mosquito nets and kitchen sets. It is not true that humanitarian assistance is not reaching those in need. It is, but simply not enough!

Along the main, four lane road out of Moltan we see tents, one after another like a string of pearls. Tents? That’s an exaggeration. Plastic sheets held up by wooden poles. The front and back remain open providing no privacy for those who seek its shelter. But it at least provides some protection from the fierce sun.

A 70-year-old man sits alone, staring into space. Around him children doing likewise.

When we arrive, we are surrounded by people immediately. Everybody wants to say something. They all say the same: "We have no tents. Look!" They point to a village, less than 200 meters way but its completely flooded now and all you can see are roofs. Their return to their village depends on how long the rains will continue for and how long it will take for the stagnant water to recede.

Then they tell us, that they are receiving food. When we ask from whom, they reply "People from Moltan are coming every day to deliver food.” These people are strangers but they can rely on them. Today, as the holy fasting month of Ramadan has now started, they arrive in the evening, after unset. Tomorrow Pakistan celebrates its independence from the British Empire. No Taliban, no politics, no military is important here, but the people. People help people in Pakistan. And this is the true Pakistan I know and appreciate.

By the way, Zahid – the sick little boy I met in Charsadda, lying listless on the mud-covered floor of his flooded home, is playing again in the part of his village that the floodwaters hadn’t reached. My colleague, Mujahid, just sent me a mail to let me know. The mother was able to take her son to the hospital and now he’s better and playing once more with his friends.

Another question often asked by journalists comes to mind: “Does the help reach people?” Yes, it does.