Relief workers in Pakistan inspired by quake victims, volunteers

Published: 2005-10-26

NEW DELHI, India (CNS) -- Church officials coordinating relief work for victims of the earthquake in Pakistan said they were inspired by the commitment of Pakistanis to the massive effort. "This is the month of Ramadan. Most of them are fasting and do not drink even water. Yet, they are carrying heavy things and climbing mountains" to distribute relief materials, said Jack Norman, Catholic Relief Services' country representative in predominantly Muslim Pakistan. In an Oct. 25 telephone interview from his office in Islamabad, Norman said that many of the CRS volunteers at the relief distribution centers in the quake-affected areas are themselves victims who lost their families, friends and property in the Oct. 8 earthquake that killed more than 77,000 people in Pakistan. "Yet they have shown (an) overwhelming sense of dedication along with our staff and local partners. This is a testimony to their dedication," Norman said. CRS is the U.S. bishops' international aid agency.

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