Pakistan: Discriminations against Christians in distribution of humanitarian aid, treated as second class citizens.

ASIA/PAKISTAN - 

Lahore (Agenzia Fides) - “While Caritas and the Pontifical Mission Societies are working on providing humanitarian relief to displaced persons without discrimination of origin, race, or religion, in other areas, the Christian refugees, even in the midst of this tragedy, are being treated as second class citizens. They often receive little assistance, or are excluded altogether.” This is the alert being sent to Fides by Fr. Mario Rodrigues, Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the country, in talking about the government distribution of aid following the floods which have ravaged the country. The priest notes that the aid is coming "slowly and with difficulty and that now, among the 20 million displaced people struggling to survive, there is the fear of an outbreak of epidemics." 
In this dramatic situation, there is an ongoing “war among the poor" to appropriate the humanitarian aid that is insufficient, and in the distribution of aid managed by the Pakistani government, Christians received the worst part. "The refugees belonging to religious minorities are the most neglected, excluded, discriminated against. Our priests, volunteers and lay leaders in the provinces of Punjab, Sindh and Baluchiestan are visiting the affected areas, collecting hundreds of displaced Christians who had been left to themselves, bringing them to camps run by Caritas and other NGOs of Christian inspiration in order to guarantee them the minimum assistance they need." 
On the long-term effects of the disaster, Fr. Mario notes: "It is a disaster for the entire country. This tragedy will mark the initiation of a dark period in which, given the destruction of vast tracts of farmland and the death of livestock, there will be a serious food security crisis due to the lack of food and rising prices of primary goods.” 
Meanwhile, even the “Jesuit Mission,” the Jesuit missionary service, has launched an appeal for flood victims, ensuring the commitment of the Jesuits in Pakistan for helping the displaced. In a dramatic testimony sent to Fides, Fr. Fernando Jacob, a Jesuit of Lahore, said: "The refugees are desperate and have nothing. In Multan, many are camped out near the Bishop's house, where they are offered rice every day. Everywhere there is food shortage and many congregations of Catholic sisters are engaged in distributing food and assisting the weakest, especially women and children." (PA) (Agenzia Fides 20/08/2010)

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