【慈幼通訊社 ─ 2010 年 8 月 22日巴基斯坦奎達訊，AustraLasia #2698】 ─Ban Ki-Moon見證著他形容為最嚴重的自然災害及人間悲劇，他所關注的，比世界所關注的還要多，因為他看到，我們不應忘記巴基斯坦隸屬於我們東亞澳區！

你們知道，我們巴基斯坦有兩個團體（奎達及拉哈爾），共約有七至八名會士，其中至少兩名是巴基斯坦人。這些慈幼會團體，隸屬南菲律賓會省，他們在各種困難中，仍致力為不同宗教信仰的青少年謀求福利，對基督徒有著重大價值，是國內真正的天主教團體，且為慈幼活動的超卓典範。此外，我們在當地的工作確實受到敬重，不論是政府，還是與我們的有所接觸的，當地人其他不同教派的巴基斯坦人。該區其他會省，慷慨地協助我們在巴基斯坦的工作。正如我所寫的，至少有一名其他會省的代表，在當地視察情況，看看如何確保穩定而有效的援助。

現在談及水災。簡單來說，我們兩個地方，並沒有直接受到令國內廣泛地區受災的洪水破壞，但鄰近地方確受到重大蹂躪。例如在距離奎達一百二十公里的錫比，山谷及平原災情嚴重。當地是通往奎達、拉哈爾、卡拉其、伊斯蘭堡等地，鐵路運輸的「樞紐」，這表示過去三個星期，幾乎沒有任何鐵路運輸活動，影響奎達的物資供應，更影響通往其他方向的救援工作。看過電視新聞報導的都知道，西北地區（因一些其他問題而聲譽不隹的斯瓦特山谷地區），以及現時為糧食產區的旁遮普以東一帶，都成為澤國，數以千計的農田受破壞，農民無以為計。

在這個景況中，國內慈幼會士正致力向他們身邊的貧困者及飽受折磨的人，施以救援，正如他們在西北邊區遭地震蹂躪時所作的一樣。歐洲的善長已協助慈幼會士提供食品（尤其是麵粉、糖及食油）和藥物。奎達已成為水災難民的收容地，他們就是我們的鄰人。

因此，如果你們會省已組織提供支援，請來協助！當有更多資訊時，我們會向你們作出報導。

Pakistan's floods and us

(ANS –Pakistan - QUETTA, 22 August 2010, AustraLasia #2698) – Quite apart from the worldwide awareness of a disaster described by Ban Ki-Moon  as the worst natural disaster and human tragedy he's witnessed, and he's seen a few, we should not forget that Pakistan belongs to our EAO region! Hence it behoves us to say something, given some occasional snippets of information 'on the ground'.

As you know we have two communities in Pakistan (Quetta and Lahore), with some seven or eight confreres all told, at least two of whom are Pakistani. this Salesian presence belongs to the Southern Philippines Province, and despite various difficulties along the way, is a superb example of a Salesian activity which benefits youth of any religion, but is of enormous value to the Christian and indeed Catholic community in that country. It is also true that our work there is highly respected, by Government at one level and by local Pakistanis of other religious persuasions who are in contact with our work. Other provinces in the region generously assist our work in Pakistan. As I write there is at least one representative of another province there checking out the situation to see how to guarantee a sustainable and effective assistance.

Now the floods. In short, our two locations have not been physically damaged by the floods that have inundated so much of the nation, but nearby areas, yes. For example, in the Sibi region, 120 kms from Quetta, down in the valleys and on the plains, the situation is disastrous. This is the 'nerve-centre' for rail links between Quetta and Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad... This means that for the past three weeks there has been little or no rail movement, which affects supplies to Quetta, but more importantly affects relief in the other direction. And every TV watcher knows that both the North West area, (Swat Valley possibly the most infamous for its other problems) and now the grain-belt east of the Punjab are under water or have been, meaning thousands of farms destroyed and farmers' livelihood with them.

It is in this situation that the Salesians in the country are endeavouring to reach out to the poorest and most afflicted near them, as they did after the N-W Frontier earthquake. European benefactors have been helping the Salesians to provide food staples (flour and oil, sugar especially) and medicines. Quetta has seen an enormous influx of flood refugees, for example, and these become our neighbours.

So, if your province has something organised to channel aid - please help!  As more info becomes available, we will let you know.