Aid slow to reach Kashmir frontline, says Indian Caritas
The director of the Catholic organisation laments the sluggish pace of aid relief in an interview with AsiaNews. The area stricken is contested, a battleground of India and Pakistan; "perhaps NGOs from all around the world are moving more slowly because of this. And yet everything is needed in Kashmir".
New Delhi (AsiaNews) Aid relief for Indian-administered Kashmir is "too slow" and problems linked to lack of means and manpower "are felt in aid operations". Fr John Noronha, director of Caritas India, says delays may be due to the fact that the aid is destined for "a border area".
"Usually NGOs from all around the world rush to the scene of tragedies; here, however, we have not seen anyone as yet. A few people work for us and they are always on the go, without stopping." Government aid, meanwhile, is not problem-free: the local people have not welcomed with open arms soldiers sent to Kashmir by the central government.
"Our personnel have set up a centre for trauma counselling, for children still under shock at the sight of dismembered bodies among the ruins." There are six doctors at work and only around 50 volunteers.
From the diocese of Jammu-Srinigar in the heart of Kashmir terrain struck by the earthquake, Fr Dominic sounded an alarm when talking to AsiaNews: "The situation here continues to be precarious. Aftershocks shake the land and landslides are a threat everywhere. Pray for us too."
Fr Babu Joseph, spokesperson for the Indian Catholic Bishops' Conference, said: "Our hearts go out to those who suffer, and we pray to God that he may assist them to cope with the enormous sense of loss. But the might of the nature's fury was tempered by the force of kindness and humanitarianism exhibited by people from both countries. Catholic relief agencies were quick in their response and they have set up shelters for those affected. We have no control over natural tragedies, but then our response to them, if sincere, can make a world of difference."
At least 1,300 people were killed in Indian-administered Kashmir by the earthquake on 8 October.
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09/11/2005
