Today it was on the news that international donors like the UN and Red Cross are unable to collect money for the 2011 flood victims because Pakistan has such a bad reputation in the international community. They are 97 percent behind of their goal.
This year I have visited two countries which have a quite bad reputation: Pakistan and China. Well, Pakistan is the worst and the master at this competition:) I loved the Chinese. When I think all the interactions with the local people here, I have absolutely nothing bad to say. Pakistanis are the most hospital people. This is not to say that there are no problems in the society, there are a lot.
In the West we can’t differentiate between the government and the people. Common people are usually nice and good. In fact, here common people are sick and tired of bad governments (often supported by the USA).
So there are 180 million people here, not everybody likes to blow themselves up. And there are quite many safe areas, such as Islamabad.
Great post, and the third paragraph is so true. Not sure if you referred to the situation in Pakistan or more globally, but I feel it can be generalized.
No idea how to change the course, but hopefully Pakistan’s rep improves. Some crises, no matter how devastating they would be, just get ignored in the international media. On the contrary some crises seem to get all the attention. Sadly, Pakistani flood victims are somewhat forgotten.
I’ve heard that when there’s a chance (even small) that a crisis is man-made, people will donate less and the attention is not there. Well, of course common people didn’t cause it, but they are the ones who suffer most. the In natural disasters raising funds is said to be easier. Underachievement by 97 % in flood case doesn’t really support this hypothesis though.
Enjoy the last couple of days in Pakistan! Reading your posts it’s easy to tell that it has been quite an experience.
cheers Antti!
interesting but certainly true that catastrophes thought to be man made get less donations.
does China really have a quite bad reputation??? the main point is “quite bad”？！ :O though i do know most foreigners dun like China.sigh.
Wish those flood victims in Pakistan could be taken good care.
have a good time for the last day in Pakistan.
Kathy, A bit bad reputation because of the communist regime and communism in the west has a bad history and a bad reputation. just today i read from the news that Chinese government is returning the refugees that have escaped from North Korea. In North Korea they will be killed or at least sentenced to severe prisons most probably for the rest of their lives.
But you know, I love China, though not always the government.