Keeping alive the 'jazba'

T he October 2005 earthquake in northern Pakistan traumatised the nation. More than 73 000 people were killed and 3.5 million rendered homeless. As part of the global response to the disaster, many Western mental health professionals of Pakistani origin offered help. Many had left the country years ago, but the earthquake made them return, albeit only for a short time. What moved them? The emotional bond or guilt for abandoning their parent country? One psychiatrist from the US explained “this was our Katrina [US hurricane] and we had to do something.” Whatever it was, there was an incredible “jazba” (spirit) and a desire to help. Many professionals worked in the makeshift camps which housed the survivors, others with children in tented schools. But what …