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Helping spirit grips residents

DUBAI/SHARJAH — In true helping spirit, several Pakistani housewives and students have pitched in to streamline and coordinate the ongoing relief efforts in the UAE for the quake victims in Pakistan.

"It is actually a pleasant surprise to see several women actively taking part in the relief efforts," Naheed Nafees, Chairperson of Pakistan Association's Ladies’ Wing told Khaleej Times. "Never before have we seen this kind of unity among the Pakistani expats, especially the womenfolk," she added.

Several Pakistani women have taken the initiative of coming forward to offer their services in collecting relief goods and calling up associations and the consulate to offer all kind of help.

"I am flying to Pakistan personally to deliver the money that I collected from my neighbours and my Zakat fund," Zainab Ali, a housewife said, adding: "I do not trust anybody to deliver the money because I am not sure if it would reach the right person or not."

Zainab said she was moved to tears after watching a television programme, and this was what prompted her to take on relief work. "I told my husband that I have to be part of all these activities. Even if I have not been able to do anything directly for the people in Pakistan, I can at least do my bit here and contribute whatever little I can," she said.

"We asked several women who have been calling us up to come and help because we need volunteers to check lists and coordinate the loading of goods," Naheed said: "And in certain cases, we have had to apologise, because the little work left now is loading and unloading."

Khawaja Tanvirul Islam, Chief Organiser of the Joint Action Committee for the Relief Camp set up for the community at the Pakistan Association premises in Dubai, said: "We have had teams of female doctors, students and even teachers visiting the centre offering help."

In Sharjah, at a private level, people have put up notices in supermarkets and made announcements in mosques to spread awareness regarding collection of items for the quake victims. Several housewives are visiting their neighbours urging them to donate used clothes, blankets, medicines and even food items so that they can be sent across to Pakistan. "We recently had a group of students visiting us at the centre, and they finished the voluntary work within hours. If labourers had been hired, they would have taken the entire day," said Khawaja.

Meanwhile, Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC) has announced its participation in Aramex's humanitarian campaign to support the survivors of the Pakistan earthquake.

Till October 20, select ENOC and EPPCO service stations in Dubai and Sharjah will act as donation points for people wanting to provide aid for the relief effort in Pakistan. The weeklong donation campaign is being organised by Aramex, who are handling shipments of humanitarian aid to Pakistan.

Tents, blankets, non-perishable food items, medicines, flash lights and portable generators are welcome for donation at select ENOC/EPPCO sites where Aramex boxes will be placed. Items donated at ENOC/EPPCO sites should be non-perishable, and monetary donations will not be accepted.

Khalid Hadi, Group Brand Manager, ENOC, said: "In response to the Pakistan earthquake, we are proud to lend our support to the relief efforts by having donation centres at select ENOC/EPPCO service stations."

ENOC/EPPCO has selected 16 service stations across Dubai and Sharjah in addition to the head office, ENOC House and EPPCO House, located in Bur Dubai where people can donate items for the relief efforts. The people are also advised to log on to ENOC web site: www.enoc.com to find the nearest location to donate items. All items will be collected by Aramex and shipped to the affected areas.

In addition, ENOC's month-long Ramadan fund-raising drive 'Put a smile on someone's face' is going on and customers are encouraged to participate by purchasing coupons costing Dh10. At the end of Ramadan, the proceeds of the funds collected will be donated to Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Charity which will administer the fund to deserving institutions.

Benazir Bhutto, former prime minister of Pakistan, prayed for Pakistan’s earthquake victims at a function held recently. The function was attended by prominent members of the expatriate community.

Meanwhile, 88 truckloads of supplies for the earthquake victims have been despatched by relief teams arranged by her to Muzaffarabad, Bagh, Balakot, Batagram, Baffa, Makoi and Tiba Mohri in the past two days. The relief goods included essential food supplies, drugs, blankets, clothing and other essentials of life. The trucks have left Islamabad.

Donations continued to pour into the relief fund set up by Benazir Rehabilitation. She has also asked Pakistanis living in Dubai and the rest of the world to donate generously to the fund. The donations can be credited into account number 0035-01014063 in any branch of Bank Al Falah.