by Sardar Rohail Khan, Security Operations Assistant, CARE Pakistan

My friends say I can appear expressionless, even cold at times. It’s an occupational hazard ofsecurity training, where we learn not to show too much emotion on the job. But one glance from a small village girl, and I was lost. As her eyes pinned me, sparking fiercely with anxiety, I found myself wondering almost aloud: What are we doing here? How can any amount of humanitarian aid make a difference in this poor girl’s life?

She was staring at me, reciting her lessons while looking uneasily at the guests, intruders in her world. (Photo: CARE/Khan)

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by Thomas Schwarz

I just wanted to give them a call to say goodbye. I always do that before I travel abroad, even if it is just for a few days. I call my parents, my siblings, and a few friends as well. A good friend of mine always lights a candle for me, so “that you return safe and sound”, as she says. She is always doing this, even when I travel in areas which are quite safe.

Last year, Zahid was really sick. Today he is laughing and playing again. (Photo: CARE/Schwarz)

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Von Thomas Schwarz.

The room is much too big for just one person. I  live here during my stay in Islamabad. When a Pakistani friend came to see me he said: “There would be room for more people.” He’s right.

These people have survived. They have been rescued by a boat from the flood. (Photo: CARE/Schwarz)

Thinking of the living conditions of those affected by the flood, I ask myself why I live in such a big room. I take some comfort in the thought that I travel a lot. Just to appease my guilty conscience.

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By Thomas Schwarz.

The Taliban help the victims of the floods and glorify this exploit. That’s what I read in the news.

That is the way most people in Punjab live now. (Photo: CARE/Schwarz)

Giving interviews Journalists ask me if it is correct that Islamic Taliban distribute relief goods and bless themselves for this help. I say, yes they do so. Of course they do. Everybody does, who do good deeds to others. However, is it really an important question at the moment? Should we really discuss this topic now? In my eyes: no!
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By Thomas Schwarz.

When we started early this morning from Islamabad, I didn’t exactly know what would be awaiting me in the region of Mardan.

There is still water in the streets and the victims are waiting for support. (Photo: CARE/ Schwarz)

I had seen many reports on TV, read the papers, listened to the radio and had spoken with my CARE colleagues. The whole weekend I had met UN representatives as well as other international humanitarian organisations.

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By Thomas Schwarz.

This week is a very special one in the flooded nation that is Pakistan. August 14 is the national Day of Independence.

Pakistan struggles against the flood. At the same time the Islamic month of fasting, Ramadan, starts. (Photo: CARE/Schwarz)

On August 14, 1947, the British colonial rulers granted independence to their former colony. At the same time as India, by the way. But on top of the national Day of Independence, Pakistan’s majority Muslim population will also begin the holy month of Ramadan this week, which includes praying and fasting.

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By Thomas Schwarz.

On a cable TV network I can watch the recorded world cup match between Germany and Uruguay. Football.

The TV shows football, the reality shows a disaster. Pakistan faces the worst floods since centuries. (Photo: CARE/Savawon)

It’s a draw right now. I switch to DAWN-TV, a Pakistani TV channel: Two anchormen talking about food support activities in their mother tongue Urdu.

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by Chandara Tith.

My friend Manika who came from Cambodia with me asked an interesting question: “Does the climate change people’s habits?” She noticed that people in Germany get up and go to sleep later than people in Cambodia do and that the sun in Germany sets later, too.

My friend, Michael said that in front of the University of Bonn, there are often many people sitting around, sun bathing, but now it looks so quiet. (Photo: Chandara Tith)

When I walked to the city with my friend Michael, he told me that the park in front of the University of Bonn was always full of people sun bathing during the summer. But now, less people go there. He wondered if it is too hot for people to do so.

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by Thomas Schwarz

Distribution of emergency items in Rustam Mardan (photo: CARE/Shah Faisal)

It is about noon up here in the Northwestern Province, maybe one or two o’clock. (more…)

by Thomas Schwarz

Khan Faraz holds little Sohail – he was born right before the family had to flee (photo: CARE/Schwarz)

While travelling to places like Pakistan, I naturally meet many different people. All of them have their own story and background, their traditions, cultures and personal experiences.

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