Flood of broken promises

It has been about a year since the devastating deluge that ripped through the country, yet issues hampering the rehabilitation of many of the affected populations are lingering. Unfortunately, many of these problems have been brought on by the government itself because of a lack of coordination and inability to translate words into actions. In Karachi, displaced persons from Jacobabad, Larkana and other flood-affected areas of Sindh continue to stake out at relief camps that were officially shutdown months ago. One such camp site is the Labour Square housing complex. This housing scheme is a project of the Sindh Workers Welfare Board. Officials confirm that these apartments belong to employees of the provincial Labour Department who have already paid all dues for the construction of the housing complex and are now awaiting allotment of houses. But, instead of receiving brand new apartments, these rightful owners have been left in limbo since the present occupants, refuse to leave. In an effort to evict these occupants, authorities have disconnected the water supply of Labour Square and sewerage and garbage disposal efforts have also been halted. Without proper sanitation or running water, living conditions for the inhabitants of these 1000 apartments have deteriorated rapidly. Overflowing drains and piles of garbage inside the residential complex have become breeding grounds for diseases and infections. To top this off, non-governmental organizations such as Medicines Sans Frontieres that were providing healthcare services, have also halted their activities since May 31, 2011. So why are these people refusing to leave, despite such deplorable living conditions? They are all hoping that somehow these quarters will be allotted to them. And what made them conjure up this assumption that they would be allotted someone elses property? According to the chairman of the camp residents committee, "Government representatives promised us they would give us homes and jobs if we came here." These internally displaced persons (IDPs) draw attention to television and newspaper advertisements that were published around this time last year, which promised jobs, plots and support for flood victims. They contend that various ministers had also assured them that if they refused to budge; eventually these apartments would be left to them. Speaking to BR Research, EDO Revenue-Karachi, Roshan Ali Sheikh had a starkly different take on the matter. He says that if anyone is illegally occupying these apartments in the belief that eventually they will be allotted to them, "they are wrong". He said that chief minister Sindh, Qaim Ali Shah, has already issued directives to relevant authorities to remove these occupants from the Labour Square apartments. Sheikh also said that talks are underway with representatives of the present occupants of the housing scheme to convince them to evacuate the premises and added that force would be used, if deemed necessary. Whichever way this cookie crumbles, it is evident that the whole issue would not have arisen if elected representatives had not promised the world to these poor souls when they knew that holding true to the commitment would be impossible given the governments extremely limited resources. It is also clear that besides those uprooted from their homes and livelihoods by the floods, others who put their life savings towards having a place to live, will also be casualties of the governments empty promises as they will be left with a dilapidated housing complex, instead of the brand new premises they paid for.