KARACHI, Pakistan– A gesture of generosity became a day of sorrow and horror for many when 18 women were killed, among them a 13-year old girl, during a stampede where free flour was being given out. 15 others were also injured during the chaos.

The free-flour was being given out by local philanthropist Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, at his warehouse in Khori Garden, a neighborhood on the southern part of the city, and one of the poorest as well. Thousands of women and children gathered to attempt to take advantage of the offer. However a stampede occurred when the organizers, believing that the women were getting out of control decided to close the doors. Because of Khori Garden’s narrow lanes this created a suffocating atmosphere. The stampede was caused by the panicking women all attempting to leave at once. Witnesses state that what started the chaos were various arguments which broke out during the distribution of the food. One women stated that “Dozens of women just leapt to grab the items and the man distributing just closed the gate,”. One grieving mother named Karima cried “I have lost my little daughter…All I wanted was a bag of flour for my family, but my greed lost me so gravely” 

During the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, Muslims traditionally give free food and drink. These gifts are given by private individuals, and by religious and charitable groups.

During this year, a shortage of flour and sugar in the country as a result of hoarding has caused food prices in Pakistan to rise, with food prices rising even further during the Ramadan period. As a result competition for the distributed free food among the poor of this country has been higher than in previous years. Although the government has tried to subsidize flour and sugar prices, they seem unable to provide relief to the ever increasing number of poverty-stricken citizens.

The United Nation’s International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights defined the right to adequate food as a fundamental human right which is inherent to all to have regular access, either through direct or financial to an adequate and sufficient supply of food.  In other words, the right to adequate food is achieved when every person in a community has the physical and economic access at any time to adequate food or means to procure it.  Evidenced from the chaos erupted from the poverty and hunger stricken masses from a free-food give away, there seems to be a violation of this basic human right of access to food.

This incident was not the first time people have died, with similar scenes of long lines at various centers distributing free food falling into chaos during the last few weeks.  

For more information, please see:

BBC News- Pakistan food stampede kills many – 14 September 2009

New York Times- At least 19 killed in Ramadan food stampede– 14 September 2009

Daily Times- 18 women die in Karachi free food stampede – 15 September 2009

The Right to Food- Guiding Principles