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The dos and don'ts of helping flood victims

The dos and don'ts of helping flood victims

Amidst all the relief efforts, we're coming across footage that point to clear mistakes being made.
06 Sep, 2022

As Pakistan struggles to regain its footing from devastating and widespread floods, we are seeing Pakistanis rise to the aid of their fellow country-people. Donations are pouring in, volunteers are helping those in need and overall, political leaders have stepped up their efforts to raise awareness.

Amidst this, however, we're coming across footage that point to clear mistakes being made during the relief efforts. And when we say clear, we mean quite obvious actions that we would have thought wouldn't need to be pointed out.

So in good faith, as people continue to help those in need, here's a list of dos and don'ts:

DO provide food and other goods for the people displaced and affected by the floods.

DON'T turn it into a scripted moment where they feel like props, not human beings. Handing them a juice box and then asking them to pose with it is demeaning. They are not content for social media photos; they're humans who need our help and support.

DO take pictures or videos of yourself/your group/organisation carrying out relief work if you want to spread awareness, call for donations or ensure transparency.

DON'T turn it into a circus with more camera-people than affectees. Also, ask if they are okay being photographed.

DO strategise on how to reach hard to access areas and villages to provide bags of rations. You can get in touch with large-scale NGOs, local administration and planners in the area.

DON'T throw sacks of rations out of helicopters, causing them to explode on impact, wasting all the food. Also, don't try to reach difficult areas without any planning so that you yourself become the person who needs help.

DO donate to reliable and trustworthy organisations.

DON'T shame people for sending necessary products to people affected by the floods. Let's only build on the work being done and not digress from the big picture.

DON'T make light of the situation and compare flooded areas to developed cities like Venice. No one is laughing, it only comes off as highly insensitive.

DO listen to what people have to say, empathise and really try to understand what they need from you in that situation.

If you're looking for ways to help and donate to the relief efforts, click here.

Comments

salman Sep 06, 2022 03:36pm
Do or don't pretend to be a 2nd rate Angelina Jolie copy?
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insaafian Sep 06, 2022 03:40pm
what about the insta photo session by plastic guriya? '
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Zak Sep 06, 2022 03:43pm
All 'dos' is what PTI and its leaders are doing all the 'donts' is what pdm and their leaders are doing.
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Zak Sep 06, 2022 03:44pm
Dont ask " If camera is rolling" before throwing bags outside a helicopter.
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Zak Sep 06, 2022 03:45pm
Dont say " is the camera on" while throwing bags outside the helicopter, while looking at the camera.
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Zak Sep 06, 2022 03:47pm
Dont hug, old destitute women and after the pictures taken, walk away not giving any food relief to anyone.
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Naya Pakistani Sep 06, 2022 03:59pm
Politicians instead of doing their own thing to get pictures should give money to nation disaster management agencies who have the logistics to get to victims. Pseudo sympathy is hurting people and their faith in politicians.
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nouman Sep 06, 2022 04:10pm
So where was the media when maryam does her photoshoot with the flood victims? Why only complain about Imran Khan?
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Art Sep 06, 2022 04:20pm
Shame on IK for this publicity stunts!
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Mahmood Sep 06, 2022 04:28pm
Funny, I never saw Dawn publish an article like this on 'the dos and don't of Pandemc" when the PDM clowns were holding large rallies all around the country, without masking, social distancing or other measures to reduce the spread! Practice what you preach.
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Amir Sep 06, 2022 04:46pm
of course you chose to conveniently ignore the topi drama by ppp and pml-in
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NACParis Sep 06, 2022 05:08pm
@Art Shame on you for saying so. The photo session actor is Shahbaz, either sitting in a plane or helicopter or standing on dry land under an umbrella.
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Sep 06, 2022 05:37pm
United we stand, divided we fall.
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Pakistani1 Sep 06, 2022 05:50pm
Thank you. Useful advice.
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TPA Sep 06, 2022 06:08pm
This is a self credit created mess. International community should not allow itself to be blackmailed into providing aid. Everything is a scam in this country.
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Fast comment Sep 06, 2022 06:14pm
PPP leaders Manzoor Wasan, Nisar Khuhro, Murad Ali Shah, And others all got a thrashing at the hands of poor flood affectees. They all wish a photo session nothing more. An anchor Imran Riaz Khan did far better than Sindh Govt. The big chunks of relief is being done by PTI through funds they already have.
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optimist Sep 06, 2022 06:15pm
Can the PPP leaders go amongst their own people like Imran khan and his team.
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CarelessWhispers Sep 06, 2022 06:52pm
Their is NO Do & Dont when it comes to gimmicks of politicians be they be from any country.... they r all the same......
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Ibrahim S Sep 06, 2022 06:54pm
Keep everyone their mouths shut. No mug slinging , and quietly help . Can IKN zip up
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Ehsan Sep 06, 2022 06:54pm
No one has more reach then the state machinery
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Jaws Sep 06, 2022 07:31pm
Do's: only give through Imran Khan's charity Dont's: avoid all other charities set up by opportunistic crooks
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asma Sep 06, 2022 07:41pm
@salman Best ever rely
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asma Sep 06, 2022 07:41pm
Dont give to imported govt. DO give to charitable organistation that are doing the work
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asma Sep 06, 2022 07:43pm
@Art Shame on you for being a PDM supporter
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Ibrahim S Sep 06, 2022 07:51pm
@Zak - a great photo op. How would you eat when Hundred eyes looking at you . Brother your Showbiz leaders is attention hungry
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Ibrahim S Sep 06, 2022 08:04pm
IKN is no different from other political leaders . Another cheap shot from him
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Irfan Sep 06, 2022 08:19pm
This crisis should not be political. Help the people without a political mileage.
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Rasheed Shaikh Sep 06, 2022 08:20pm
Why political organizations are collecting money for overseas?
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Nemah Sep 06, 2022 08:39pm
Sure. Be like Kaptaan. Play the game of thrones while the nation is drowning.
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T-man Sep 06, 2022 09:04pm
Don't do what IK is doing. Because, it's for the pictures only.
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Farooq Sep 06, 2022 10:16pm
@T-man whats your guy doing enjoying London?
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Owais Sep 06, 2022 10:25pm
A New Charity or Humanitarian Touch !!!
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Asim Sep 07, 2022 12:25am
@TPA This is partially self inflicted. 5-9 times the normal rainfall will cause havoc anywhere is the world.
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TZaman Sep 07, 2022 12:38am
Shamelessness galore from our political elites.
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Fareed Sep 07, 2022 01:30am
Very well said.
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M. Emad Sep 07, 2022 01:42am
7 Poor Children. 70 Cameramen.
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Anonymouseee Sep 07, 2022 04:36am
Excellent points. Thanks.
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Raj Sep 07, 2022 05:44am
i felt ashamed how there were bunch of cameras where Imran standing behind feeding hungry people on neatly while table cloth with seating seen in wedding.. so much demeaning to human being.
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Chacha Sep 07, 2022 06:45am
@Amir Too much of topi drama is going on mainly by …,,,,, you all can guess
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Abrar Sep 07, 2022 07:16am
So pathetic to see how people are justifying these cheap theatrics...
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Chota Sep 07, 2022 07:55am
What about photo shoot of Angelina jolie Lahore copy?
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TPA Sep 07, 2022 08:02am
Donations for Pakistan is a big scam.
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