Rising From The Ruins

At first glance, you might think Pakistan's earthquake rumbled through this valley just yesterday instead of a year ago, when more than 4,000 men, women and children were pulled from the collapsed buildings of Balakot, and thousands were injured and crippled, reports CBS News correspondent Elizabeth Palmer.

Today's survivors are camping on what remains.

Trapped by government red tape and corruption, the only salvation for Balakot's victims were the Islamic aid organization which raced to help when disaster struck.

Jammat Ud Dawa, a radical group now banned by Pakistan for its links to terrorism, runs one of several refugee camps in Balakot, reports Palmer. Dawa runs a hospital, with sophisticated surgical units, in shipping containers.

"Those who imposed the ban have been here and seen we have nothing to do with terrorism," said Dawa's head doctor in response to questions about the group's links to terrorism.

Dawa is building support among Balakot's quake victims because most have little money and no prospect of rebuilding their homes. Construction here is forbidden, as the entire valley rests on a fault line considered an earthquake red zone. And the government plans of bulldozing any remaining buildings.

There's a plan in place to move the whole town to a new site 20 miles away, but it has stalled, with no long-term plans to house residents in the meantime. And local officials can't say where the compensation money is.

One year after the earthquake, anger — and religious fervor — is growing.

The ruined and roofless mosque is full. Islam is taking care of the physical and spiritual needs of thousands in Balakot left crushed by nature and neglected by their government.
Elizabeth Palmer