URGENT: GILGIT BALTISTAN FLOOD RELIEF

URGENT APPEAL

DEAR FRIENDS,

FOR THE LAST SEVERAL DAYS, THE NORTHERN AREAS OF PAKISTAN ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE COUNTRY HAVE SEEN WHAT COULD ONLY BE DESCRIBED AS SOME OF THE MOST DESTRUCTIVE TORRENTIAL RAINS IN THE COUNTRY’S HISTORY.

THIS HAS LED TO ABSOLUTE CARNAGE AND CHAOS ACROSS THE BOARD, WITH THE LOSS OF HUNDREDS OF LIVES AND OVER 1000+ HOUSES DESTROYED BEYOND REPAIR IN JUST ONE REGION ALONE (GHIZER), INCLUDING THE COMPLETE DESTRUCTION OF BUBUR JAMATKHANA IN THE GHIZER DISTRICT.

WHILE WE ARE CLOSELY OBSERVING THE SITUATION UNFOLD, AS WE SPEAK, HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE BECOME HOMELESS, AND MANY HAVE LOST THEIR PRIMARY SOURCE OF INCOME; SHOPS, CARS, AGRICULTURAL LAND INCLUDING THIS YEAR'S HARVEST.

THE FULL SCALE OF THE DESTRUCTION IS HARD TO FULLY COMPREHEND AND QUANTIFY AT THE MOMENT. HOWEVER, THERE IS AN URGENT NEED TO PROVIDE FOOD SUPPLIES AND SHELTER TO THE NEEDIEST.

I’M IN CLOSE COORDINATION WITH MY FRIENDS AND CONTACTS THERE. THE GOVERNMENT AND NGOs SECTOR IS STRETCHED THIN, AND IT MIGHT BE DAYS IF NOT WEEKS BEFORE AID, PROVISIONS AND RATION REACHES THE MOST NEEDY IN THE REMOTEST PARTS.

WE ARE LOOKING TO MOBILISE LOCAL RESOURCES TO PROVIDE URGENT FOOD RATIONS TO 500 HOUSEHOLDS AND OTHER EMERGENCY PROVISIONS TO THE MOST DISTRESSED.

WHILE UNFORTUNATELY, IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO HELP EVERYONE, ANY CONTRIBUTION WILL GO FAR TO ENSURE IMMEDIATE SUPPORT IS PROVIDED.

KINDLY CONTACT ME IF YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS AND ENQUIRIES REGARDING THE FUNDRAISER.

WHERE ARE THE FUNDS GOING?

In the initial stage, our focus is to provide:

1. Ration Packs for 250 Families for one month: Food supplies (Wheat, rice, four types of lentils, sugar, salt, loose tea, dry milk and long shelve life tetra milk pack, cooking oil, mixed species) + washing detergent, soap, cooking oil, mixed spices.

2. PVC Tents x 25 [each can accommodate a family of 4]

3. Kitchen Utensils for 250 people

4. Bedding, blankets & warm clothes for 250 people

5. Female hygiene kits including sanitary pads for 200 women

6. Clean Water: bottled water & filtered drinking water coolers

7. Supporting local Community Kitchens that are providing warm foods to the affectees

8. Transportation cost for mobilisation of aforementioned goods from cities and sources to the affectees in the remote areas.

Additional Information:

At the end of the fundraiser, the funds will be transferred to my UK personal bank account following which the funds will be transferred to the Pakistani bank account of Syed Kamal Ali Shah using Remitly, who along with Rubab Mariam will handle the funds on my behalf as they are directly engaged in leading the relief efforts to deliver aid to the Ghizer district of Gilgit Baltistan and beyond. The funds will be directed towards the aforementioned activities, many of which have already begun.