Most of you have probably heard by now that a massive earthquake has left tens of thousands of people dead in Pakistan. An estimated 2.5 million people will need shelter. President Bush has dedicated $50 million and eight military helicopters; I have little doubt that the amount of aid we give will continue to increase in coming days and weeks. The quake happened to affect what is probably the least politically stable area in the Asian subcontinent: Kashmir.
The chaos brought on by the quake has also led to violence. J.P. Singh, a senior superintendent of police, told The A.P. that militants in the Indian Kashmir region killed 10 people, including four Hindus whose throats were slit in three quake-hit villages.
The Indian portion of Kashmir has been wracked recently by religious violence between Muslims and Hindus. Hindu-dominated India and Muslim-dominated Pakistan have fought two wars over Kashmir.
Hopefully, this will serve as a chance for India and Pakistan to work together in relief and rebuilding efforts. If you can, donate to organizations that are helping with the relief efforts. I’ll link to a few of my favorites, and feel free to add your own:
Doctors Without Borders
Mercy Corps
Alternet lists many others