Pakistani expatriates gear up to provide succour to flood victims

DUBAI — Pakistani organisations and community members in the UAE are on standby to initiate relief efforts for thousands of victims of Pakistan floods, said to be the worst ever in decades.

Asma Ali Zain

Published: Mon 2 Aug 2010, 11:42 PM

Last updated: Thu 2 Apr 2015, 10:59 AM

While many say they are awaiting a green signal from the Pakistan government, many others have started spreading the word and garnering support. Thousands have perished since heavy monsoon rains lashed the country the past week causing heavy flooding. Up to a million people have been displaced in the Pakhtunkhawa province and are now facing disease outbreaks, according to the UN.

“We are waiting for details from the Pakistan government on the current situation and the exact need for relief goods,” said Ayub Afridi, Chairman of the Pak Khyber Wing of the Pakistan Association Dubai.

He, however, said that once the go-ahead was given, the association would work in cooperation with an NGO based in Pakistan to distribute the funds and necessary items raised from the UAE. “A team from the UAE will travel to the affected areas to oversee the relief efforts.”

Pakistan’s Ambassador at Large Javed Malik has also initiated a campaign to extend support to flood victims on behalf of Overseas Pakistanis living in UAE and other parts of the world.

Malik has appealed to the affluent members of the Overseas Pakistani community to rise to the occasion and support their flood affected compatriots. An urgent meeting has been called this week in which community notables will sit together to evolve a strategy to extend their support to their homeland.

Speaking about the role of Overseas Pakistanis, Malik said they had always stood by their motherland in the times of need, whether there were earthquakes, droughts or floods.

Mobisher Rabbani of the Rabbani Foundation has partnered with Human Relief Foundation to provide food, clean drinking water and medical assistance to the flood victims. “We’ll start fund-raising efforts as soon as a clear assessment of the disaster is done. Work will also be started immediately,” said Mobisher.

“The situation is very bad and these people need lots of help especially in Nowshera, Mardan and Charsadda,”  he said.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com