Strings
How big is the disaster in your opinion?

It is massive. Millions of people have been affected and it will take a long time in the rehabilitation process. Unlike the 2005 earthquake, this calamity has been spread far and wide. The problematic point is that people still haven't realized the magnitude of the disaster. In the earthquake, only a limited area was affected and the rehabilitation process began right after the tragedy. The biggest challenge at this point is to bring the affected people back to their homes and resume their businesses. This is a very difficult task and will require a lot of time.

Don't you think people showed more enthusiasm at the time of 2005 earthquake than this time around?
At the time of earthquake in 2005, circumstances were quite different. Firstly, the economic situation at present is very different from that in 2005. Secondly, there is a trust deficit factor among people who to give and how. Thirdly, people are not aware of the magnitude of the disaster.

Have you played a role in the flood relief activities?

To be very honest, everyone is doing something on one's personal front. So it's not important to tell what the one is doing. But yes, it is very important for everyone to do whatever one can.

 On the band front, we are doing everything we can to help flood victims. We are massively involved in the initiation of a concert series for flood relief victims. It will be a three-concert series in various cities of Pakistan in which many artistes will join hands. Strings will also perform in a flood relief concert in the UK mid-October. In addition to that, we are involved with an organization called Superstars Relief Fund in which we have donated our song. It is basically an album which is on sale at iTunes. All the proceeds of the album will go to flood relief victims. We have also been actively participating in various Telethons for flood relief.

Would you suggest any transparent agencies for the donations?
 There are many credible names such as Mr. Abdul Sattar Edhi. He is perhaps one of the most trusted social workers of the country. Also, the joint venture of Imran Khan and Mir Khalil-ur-Rehman Foundation's Pukaar is doing commendable work. Of course, I think people should contribute to wherever they are comfortable but please do contribute!

Najam Sheraz
Tell us about the ground reality?

I visited a few areas in Sindh with the medical camps and some specialist doctors on the platform of arrahman-arraheem.com. I am extremely disappointed in the condition of the victims. Humans can't live like this; 90 % are ill with skin diseases. I don't think there are enough people or support there. More volunteers, permanent medical centers, specialists and doctors are needed on urgent basis. Their mental state tells that they have been deprived of the basics and suppressed for many years. Flood just exposed their condition and has brought them in the spot light .It's time to change the fate of thousands of their children who will grow up just like their parents.

How bad is it out there? What did you see?

It's so bad that you will be surprised that who these people are and where they have come from and most importantly, are they your countrymen? What's wrong? Why are they so different from you? Where are their basic rights? Why are they so downtrodden and helpless? Is it the flood or their fate? Why have they been kept like this? Who do they benefit? Who is responsible for them? What will happen to these little children, will they grow up like them only or can we give them better future? That's exactly how I felt and thought what I saw there...

What is being done in the areas you visited?

There have been efforts but they are not enough. They need clean water medical centers on regular basis not for a day or two...more serious voluntary work is required.

Which agencies are you involved with?

I am only working with www.arrahman-arraheem.com Rangers force helped us a lot and without them you can't maintain peace and balance there.

FAAKHIR
Tell us about the ground reality?

Millions of people have been displaced from their homes, lands and native villages. It's not just that they have been displaced but they have lost their belongings and homes. But what is worst is that even the papers of their holdings have been lost. And to the make the matter most awful, the patvari officers in the rural villages have also been washed away and there is no land record left whatsoever!

How bad is it out there? What did you see?
It's too bad! I actually saw inundated villages. In fact, one of the first times when I accompanied Navy, we used to park our Navy helicopters 50-60 feet in the air above the village and drop ration, food items, basic stuff like tooth brushes, rusk, bread etc.  Those scenes were simply horrific. I am only referring to Interior Sindh cities like Sukkur, Hyderabad, and Jamshoro because that was my area of focus.

What is being done in the areas you visited?
Now that the water has come down and is receding, we will soon be winding up the camps. We will be encouraging people to return to their lands and resume their lives. We will require efforts to rebuild and rehabilitate their homes and businesses.  

Which agencies are you involved with?
I was only involved in Pakistan Navy.

How do you assess their performance?
It's brilliant! Since water is their domain so they have a complete fleet of boats, crafts, and helicopters engaged in the rescue activities. I believe it was a massive operation. It was not just rescue but was a fantastic piece of organization when it came down to setting hygienic camp. About 20,000 people were dependent on us for food, medical assistance and clean water. And would you imagine? We just had a single death in our camps and that too was a premature birth case.
There wasn't a single death due to hygiene because immediately we learnt the need of hygiene and cleanliness. We built lavatories and sanitary in assistance of Military Engineering Services. And interestingly, we were urged them to take a shower each day by paying them Rs10/- whoever took a shower.

Don't you think people showed more enthusiasm at the time of 2005 earthquake than this time around?
It is partially true but this time we were slow to rise. In 2005, the initial scenes were very horrific as 90,000 people died instantly and the whole nation was in a state of shock and the response was rapid. This time around although we were slow to respond because the death toll was much lesser but once we started, we got going! Everyone played a vital role including youth. Also, it was the month of Ramazan, the whole nation stood united and everyone had spirit and zeal. It is so heartening to see our nation united.

ATIF ASLAM
Tell us about the ground reality? What did you see there?
I saw that Swat was not the same as what I had seen before. The river's width has increased tenfold. The orchids have been destroyed. In fact, there is no transportation left. People from Kalam, which is some 50 km away from Swat, have to walk on foot to collect aid and take them back to their town.

Which areas did you visit?

I went to Charsadda, Swat and Baghderi and worked there. I targeted these areas because they haven't received enough aid as it's very difficult to reach out to these places.
 
How big is the calamity in your opinion?

I think it's going to take years for the affectees to recover! Their transportation has been destroyed but their spirits are still alive. No matter what has happened to them, their hospitality is still the same. And I am so proud of my nation the way they are helping the flood victims.

Enlighten us with your activities in the flood relief campaign?

I am contributing with different NGO's. We are sending trucks loaded with food items and warm clothes winters are approaching in those areas.

Don't you think people showed more enthusiasm at the time of 2005 earthquake than this time around?
Well, I think people are more helpful this time around because majority is aware of the calamity. I am amazed and touched by the enthusiasm of youth who are gathering in schools/colleges, collecting donations and giving them to the right organizations.

I heard that you met the Punjab CM. What was that about?

That's right! I offered him 500 bottles of silver dyne which is basically a Nano technology. One of drop of silver dyne can purify 2 litres of water of any sort making it drinkable. My primary reason for meeting was to write a letter to the UNICEF and ask for two million bottles of silver dyne which can save the lives of people of Southern Punjab.

HAROON
What have you done for fundraising?

This year I performed at the annual Washington DC Pakistan Day function took place on the 8th of August.  But this year the cause was not only to celebrate Pakistan day but to also raise funds for flood relief. It was a massive event with 8,000 Pakistanis participating at the Dulles Expo Centre.
 
What's your next step for the flood relief activity?
I think it is important as an artist to do my part in going to the affected areas and raising awareness. I have been approached to participate in a number of fund raising events this coming October and I plan to participate wholeheartedly. I am also considering other opportunities such as doing a collaborative album or song with other artists to raise awareness and funds.