Revolutionary Socialist Movement
The Revolutionary Socialist Movement, the Pakistani section of the League for the Fifth International, is involved in flood relief work across the country. This is a report of their work so far
In Lahore, supporters and members of the Revolutionary Socialist Movement donated R4000 (rupees) to the flood relief campaign.
Solidarity with Pakistan flood relief victims
Comrades also worked alongside an NGO to raise R30,000 (about £225) in just 5 hours by collecting at road traffic lights as people passed by. Many passers-by also contributed food, cloths and medicine for the flood victims.
Women and poor people made the largest contributions, which shows real solidarity in a country where most workers earn about £5 a week. Rich people in contrast tended to drive by in their expensive cars.
Pakistan government’s inaction
Comrades in Gujranwala organised a protest against the government’s inaction and distributed leaflets in the city. They also collected R5000 in working class areas. Other members of the RSM have been working in other cities and towns as part of the flood relief effort, collecting money, clothes and food.
Comrade Faiz Ali, working with the relief campaign, said: “It is not just the floodwater that is killing and displacing people, now there is a real threat for many of disease and starvation.
“Also huge amounts of crops have been destroyed, making it even harder for villages and communities to feed themselves over the winter. Instead the Pakistani state has been adamant about saving various multinational corporate projects, dams and bridges.”
Poor hit badly
Another RSM member Rashid said: “The flood and rain has devastated the lives of millions; people are living without shelters and food. The government made the situation worst with their mismanagement.”
Rashid, who is helping with the campaign, said people are angry, but “at the moment they are shocked by what has happened. Especially the poor have been hit very badly in this situation.”
Help with fundraising
Other fundraising work has also been carried out in Kamoki, Sialkot and Deplapur.
If you wish to donate to the flood relief work of the RSM please contact the League for the Fifth International at [email protected]