John Schenk, a communications manager for World Vision, has travelled to 70 countries around the world documenting wars and disasters. But the devastation he witnessed during his three-and-a-half weeks in Pakistan following the October 2005 earthquake was unlike anything he had ever experienced.

WV: How did Pakistan’s earthquake differ from other natural disasters you’ve witnessed?

JS: From the moment we arrived in Pakistan, we were aware that this disaster was only the beginning of the tragedy. Winter would soon arrive, most of the habitation had been destroyed, and the second wave of suffering was just around the corner. The people have nothing left and they are trying to beat the winter as best as they can.

WV: What type of devastation did you witness?

JS: What I saw is almost impossible to explain—gorgeous valleys with breathtaking scenery, but as you look up the mountain side, there’s utter destruction. We passed by settlements with 80 to 90 per cent devastation. The habitation was completely gone. They are still uncovering enclaves high up in the mountains that haven’t yet received emergency supplies.

WV: When you’re surrounded by death and destruction, how do you cope?

JS: You get into critical situations and all the grey and ambivalence of so many of the weighty issues of the world are washed away. You focus. You know what you do is going to save lives. I guess I like these windows in my life when I can boil it down to the essence of saving lives and reaching out to people across these incredible chasms and incredible divides.

WV: What surprised you about Pakistan and its people?

JS: Pakistan was a country I never thought I would visit. I knew nothing about it. And I had so many prejudices. I thought of it as a hotbed of intolerance and violence. That’s one of God’s gifts—breaking down our prejudices and our small-mindedness. We worked with the military. What an amazing experience. I’ve worked in developing countries where the military are the oppressors and they’re corrupt. But these people had servants’ hearts. It was the last thing I expected.

WV: What do the survivors need most now that it is winter?

JS: They need tents, blankets, quilts, and food. All of those items are being delivered, but there simply is not enough. Some people say this is a result of donor fatigue, but try and tell a widow in Pakistan with four kids about donor fatigue. These people don’t need anything extraordinary. They just need basic essentials.

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