The Swat Plea

The exodus in swat doesn’t end here, the journey back home remains the toughest challenge. From the beginning we have emphasized on the need of ’strategy’ while pooling in funds. That is why we created a platform to help identify and appreciate all such organizations working for the swat crisis.  Our Foundation Canada is one such organization, where overseas Pakistans join hands and respond to the plea of their countrymen in crisis. I found  Nabil uppal on twitter , and couldn’t help but notice the timely tweets for gathering funds to help various projects.  Here we talk to him about what he and his team has been doing for the crisis in swat.  Before I leave you with the questions and answers, I must add that its overwhelming to see how being continents apart doesn’t hinder our sense of community.

The the Team of Our Foundation Canada , we are proud of you folks! keep up the awesomeness (if that’s even a word )

What is your take on Overseas Pakistani’s and their reaction to the crisis at hand?

International community regardless of their race or religion is closely monitoring the unfolding situation in Pakistan. In particular, we have witnessed a new trend of active youth organizations established at the university levels taking keen interest in the humanitarian causes, and assisting in the micro-projects unrolled by the NGOs based in and outside of Pakistan.

Since Our Foundation Canada’s primary focus is to improve the lives of the underprivileged children through educational, financial support and development initiatives, we feel that there are a lot of untapped social causes that Pakistani youth living in Pakistan needs to bring under the spot light to deal with the crisis.Some of these pressing issues include primary educational and malnutrition reforms at the government schools in FATA region and around, the issue of the “Ghost Schools”, the need to update the outdated government school curriculum, and the work towards the “Education For All” global movement led by UNESCO. EEA’s mandate is to provide learning needs of all children, youth and adults by 2015, and this needs to be taken seriously if we need strong constituents in our society.

Overseas Pakistanis realize these needs and are actively involved to improve the lives of unfortunate living in the developing parts of Pakistan.

How much have you contributed and do you think people will be willing to donate more?

I find South Asian community living abroad to be extremely generous towards humanitarian and social causes. We had people donating from all walks of life to our passive campaign held on Twitter, Facebook and various blogs. I feel we are first to aggressively launch such a campaign employing these channels and within a week we raised just over Rs. 200,000. Our effort continues and I am confident that people will continue to donate more towards the cause.

Do you think the media is doing enough to get the attention of the international community towards the crisis?

There is a room for improvement and opportunity in this area. Over the past few months, I find extensive military coverage on the operations in and around the FATA region.

Media channels continue to highlight the miseries of the displaced Pakistanis, but often times failed to broadcast the generous in-kind and cash contributions of thousands of Pakistanis and warm welcome of the host families in Peshawar who took the displaced on board for two or more months.Pakistan cannot be broadcasted as a beggar on the world stage. Pakistan is a developing country; however, she has reached many milestones of a developed country since its inception, and Pakistanis all around the world should be proud of those achievements.

How and where do you gather donations? This will facilitate our international readers to contribute to your org.

We strictly work with registered non-profit organizations, and provide necessary e-banking information to receive the funds. Our Foundation Canada’s work is all voluntary and we do not charge any administrative fee or handling fee to collect the donations.All the allocations get forwarded to the registered NGO immediately for the work to be executed. All interested readers can view our efforts and micro-projects on Facebook or they can contact me directly at nabil.uppal@gmail.com.

To sum it all, what are your plans for the future? Do you think the funds should continue to pour in?

This is a great question Sana, and there is an old Chinese saying: Give a person a fish, and you feed them for a day. Teach a person how to fish, and you feed them for a lifetime. I feel we should start to teach them how to fish at this point.

Donations will continue to pour in, but it will only feed a family for a day or two. We cannot run a region on donations, and international NGOs will not setup permanent base either. Pakistan needs to look beyond donations, and employ resources to assist them.

Instead of handing IDPs a cash card of Rs. 25,000, Pakistan should have turned this card into a micro-loan. These micro-loans are being used extensively in Bangladesh and other parts of the world, and proved to be a successful policy to uproot hunger and poverty from the developing region. We need to revisit our social policies that will have a long lasting impact in the lives of these unfortunate.

I also like to take this opportunity to thank all our donors within Pakistan and abroad, volunteers and hardworking board members for their time, efforts and donations. These individuals do everything within their reach to help those in need. You have helped us to help hundreds.

It is our time to leave back political in-differences and come together to help our brothers in need. The team at Swat Plea blog looks forward to highlight the work of NGO’s in the refugee camps across the country.

The army offensive continues in Swat and has now extended to Waziristan. This will cause a much greater influx of internally displaced people. As the panic stricken victims of war flee the war zone, there is indeed much more suffering at hand. The IDP camps in various areas of the country depict a picture of extreme helplessness. With loads of International aid pooling in ,there are still fears of an extreme lack of long term strategy.

An NYT media library holding pictures of various IDP camps across Pakistan is named ‘Pakistan’s Invisble Refugees‘ :

Pakistan is experiencing its worst refugee crisis since partition from India in 1947, and while the world may be familiar with the tent camps the have rolled out like carpets since its operation against the Taliban started in April, more than 80 percent of the nearly three million people who have fled live unseen in houses and schools.

A year ago a Taliban rocket struck the home of Shahida Bibi, catching it on fire and severely burning her as well as killing three of her relatives. She is now a refugee from the more recent fighting in the Swat Valley, living in a house in Rawalpindi.

Will we turn a blind eye to Shahida Bibi? and millions of other victims who need our immediate help. Are these people really the ‘invisible’?. They have witnessed the atrocities of the Taliban, who slaughtered their brothers,raped their girls and burned their houses. Will we show them a different side of the nation? or shrug our shoulders in ignorance?.

The Islamic Relief USA brings forth the story of 8-year old Aziz:

Eight-year-old Aziz fled from his village of Pir Baba in Buner with his parents and siblings almost two months ago. Since then, they have been living in a school in Surkh Dheri, where they are having trouble meeting their daily needs.
Aziz attends Islamic Relief’s Mercy Center in Surkh Dheri where he is provided with food, a safe place to play, education and most importantly, psychosocial counseling.

He told Islamic Relief aid workers that he is very homesick and wishes he could return to his village. Excerpts from what Aziz told them are below:

“I miss my home so much; I miss my village and my friends and the fruit trees by my house. We had peach, pear and orange trees. I miss my home all the time; that is why I feel sad. read more here

Now that the military offensive is extending to Waziristan many more will be effected.We have an exodus at our hands that needs to be tackled.  These are people who have nothing to do or want with politics or war. They need peace and shelter and most importantly to be rehabilitated back to their homes. We must act now to stop this crisis from worsening.

According to UNHCR :

An estimated 235,000 people are staying in 21 organized camps in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), according to local authorities. This includes more than 148,000 people who fled their homes over the past five weeks. In addition, some 100,000 people are staying in camp-like situations in schools and other government buildings. With the lifting of the curfew on Tuesday in Chakdara, in Malakand, more people are expected to arrive in safe areas.

These aren’t invisible refugees, they are our people. However actions speak louder than words and its time now that we ACT. Extend a helping hand for your fellow country men and make a difference in their lives NOW!

The Pakistan Youth Organization is a youth driven Organization registered both in Canada and Pakistan. They have been running a long term education project for the children of Karachi (2007) and put up efforts to help the victims of the Baluchistan Earthquake. Now they have initiated their campaign for swat

WAYS TO HELP:
Read the rest of this entry »

The most biggest concern for donors is whether their goods/money will actually reach the effected. That is exactly why most of our people have lost faith in ‘NGO’s’. Specifically in Pakistan ‘NGO’s’ don’t fully utilize technology in order to reflect transparency in their projects. However there is one such organization that takes care of all your concerns and is devoted to provide ‘transparency’ in order to attain valuable trust from the people. Help counts is a website to increase awareness and action towards improving the social welfare, justice, and human rights of all citizens.

The internet-based relief organization is accepting to help fund its efforts, and adds that as little as Rs. 250 ($ 3.10 / € 2.30) will cover one 10Kg bag, which can make 112 servings of bread.

Displaced citizens should register online to reserve their supplies at www.HelpCounts.org.
People are reminded to watch this website for the latest information about the relief effort
and how to participate.

Their website displace extensive details on people being helped. They have a live counter setup to display the number of flour bags distributed and families helped. Truly an example of using technology for raising funds and overcoming the crisis at hand. So let’s get going donate genorously and watch your money turn to action!

This post comes with a very special Thanks to Fawwad Afridi who despite of being awfully tired from the trip back to Karachi still managed to fill us in with all the details *hats off to you*. Mission Rescue Pakistan (MRP) is an NGO run by white color individuals from literally every group of the society. We have some exceptionally enthusiastic  youngsters  working along with strategic advice from the elderly. Overall the MRP family represents patriotic individuals from different backgrounds grouping up for one cause. So without further delays here is the insight on MRP’s visit to the camps :

First and foremost How has the MRP family contributed to the displaced
people in Swat?

MRP Swat Relief Camp was set up from May 16 till 19, 2009, at Park Towers opposite to McDonald’s. MRP Team has collected stuff like Medicines, Clothes, Ready to eat food, non-perishable food items, kitchen utensils, water, toys and much more. After collecting all the stuff, it was sorted and packed at MRP ware house which is located in PECHS. The entire MRP Team was their, busy in packing and storing the collected commodities, and cautiously checking medicines and their expires. After the hectic checking process it was dispatched to Naushera, where things were already lined up with NRSP (National Rural Support Program). During the same time Four Team Members of Mission Rescue Pakistan fly to Mardan. Where they have spent two days in survey and identify the most deserving areas. NRSP, played an important role in identifying the key spot areas which are still neglected by the Government & various NGO’s, their MRP Team has tried it’s level best to facilitate them at max.

Having to visit the place personally how would you analyze the
situation on ground? Is the mainstream media doing enough to portray
the complete picture?

The best thing which at least I observed during my visit of NWFP was that Local People were & are very much supporting Pakistan Army and they are ready to do anything to back them up. They firmly believe, that Army is playing an anchor role and they are the only one who can return back their routine lives to them. These are the morale boosting news which we hardly heard on media. Media, has to play a very important role infect media has to act as a very Patriotic and Nationalist Brand to uplift the Nations Morale.

If you were to identify goods urgently required in those areas what
would it be ? If appropriate kindly list it for our readers?

Well, everything is important. From where shall I start? Water, cooler, Crockery, Shirt, Pents, Shalwar Kameez, Shoes, Shorts, Duppatay, Toys, anything that is required in a normal house. And above all this, the most important thing which needs to be highlighted and resolved is following:-

There are approximately 60,000 pregnant ladies, who are in between their 6-8 months, even in the final month (in some cases), they’ll be needing lot of Female Doctors specially gynecologist. We’ll really appreciate if interested doctors can volunteer themselves and serve in this noble cause. Please feel free to contact us for further details.

We are all greatly concerned if the aid is actually reaching the
effected people , and if so are they generally satisfied?

This is the tough question:-

Now you have to understand few things:-

Total Number of IDP’s is approximately        3.2 Million (Unconfirmed sources)

2.5 Million (Govt. Sources)

15% IDP”s out of these 3.2 or 2.5 Million will be staying in the camps set by the government on various locations. Other 85% IDP’s are the main issue, as they are not living in the camps, they have been dispersed in the outskirts of various stations, or moved to other cities/towns/districts and aid is not reaching to them at all.

The other and the most important problem/issue that these IDP’s are facing is off Registration. These IDP’s have left their places is such emergency that most of them haven’t brought their CNIC’s with them, and government has strictly instructed NGO not to entertain anyone who is without CNIC means without Registration.

What more do you think can be and should be done with regards to the
situation at hand?

Aid should reach to everyone, irrespective of the IDP color, cast, race, region, and cnic. 15mins CNIC service should be established and temporary cnics to be issued to idps on urgent basis.

What is MRP’s future strategy on the issue? Are we expecting another
trip to the effected camps?

MRP will be gathering commodities again, and will be distributing them again amongst the idps. Next trip will be arranged with in 30 days time. We are also trying to get some doctors on board with us so we can permenantly set up a Mobile Hospital their which can facilitate the locals. We would really appreciate if anyone can help or sponsor us.

Details of MRP First visit to NWFP, will be uploaded on MRP website soon.

Wishing the MRP family all the best for the future relief projects. Is
there anything that you would like to particularly highlight for those
who want to help, donate and volunteer?. Specially something you feel
isn’t being talked much often ?

All those who are interested in contributing or helping IDP’s, or have anysort of question in mind do call us or write to us on following numbers and addresses:-

Info@missionrescuepakistn.com

Fawad afridi:- +92321-2437256

Naveed Mansoor: +92334-3893330

Talha Rehman:- +92321- 2007664

 Image credits: Getty Images - AsiaPac

Following are the items that are required at these camps:

Food Items for meals:

Flour, Rice, Sugar, Lentils and ghee

Cooking Utensils:

Stoves, Deghchi, Tawa and handi

For Kids:

Pediyalite and ORS is required

Please before making your contribution check the above mentioned list and see if you are not missing out the most needed items. You can make your donations via following NGO’s:

UNHCR

Eidhi Foundation

And many more

Now this is something quite literally on our fingertips. We send around over a dozen text a day , one text for our countrymen in swat can make the difference. I would appreciate if the readers would do this right away and also help spread the word. We persoanlly get a dozen forwarded messages how about a single one for our countrymen in Swat?. So if your looking for volunteers or volunteer opportunities or simply want to update the situation in swat ,this is your platform

chOpaal (www.chOpaal.pk) is a free group SMS service used by thousands of people from across Pakistan and sends thousands of messages everyday.

We’ve setup a group on chOpaal called IDP which people can join by texting “Join IDP” to 0332-4672255 or by going online (www.chopaal.pk/IDP). After that, they can send messages to the group by typing their message and putting IDP anywhere in the message and sending it to 0332-4672255. All messages sent by other members will be delivered to them instantly. The group is moderated so spam messages won’t go through. Anyone can join and message.

You can forward the following line to advertise this group to all concerned parties. This can possibly quicken the notification process and make relief efforts more effective.

Volunteers and Goods Required For Swat Relief Camp in Pakistan Association
Dubai

Their Request has been put up here without any editing to deliver the message more authentiaclly.For all thsoe in dubai please give us your feedbcak on how the donations are coming along.

“…if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the
whole people.” (Surah Maidah, Ch.5, Verse# 32)

“Spend (in charity) out of the sustenance that We have bestowed on you
before that time when death will come to someone, and he shall say: “O my
Lord! If only you would grant me reprieve for a little while, then I would
give in charity, and be among the righteous.” (Surah Munafiqun, Ch.63,
Verse# 10)

 
Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The people of Pakistan showed great spirit of brotherhood when they rose to
help the earthquake survivors back in 2005. Today, there are no less than
1.5 Million people who have been forced to leave their homes from Swat and
take temporary shelter in surrounding peaceful areas.

As per reliable sources, The Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) is receiving
relief items from people from all walks of life including Indians, Arabs and
foreign community / organizations. The PAD is in need of volunteers to do
sorting of relief items and also volunteers to accompany them to Pakistan.
After the sorting, the relief items will be flown to Pakistan with the help
of PIA for free. They will set up a relief camp in the temporary shelters
and will distribute the goods themselves among the needy.They are also in
collaboration with their doctors wing (1500 registered doctors) who will
provide relief to the sick.

All those who want to contribute relief items or want to join as volunteers
in this massive operation can submit themselves at Pakistan Association
Dubai.

The following are items required based on the neccessity of the displaced
people in the temporary shelters:

Medications and Instruments Needed:
1. IV Canulas
2. Water Purifying tablets
3. IV Fluids- dextrose Saine, Hartman’s solution, Ringer’s Lactate, etc.
4. IV antboitics- IV Zinacef
5. Smooth muscle relaxants- norgesic, and analgesic
6. IV analgesic, - suppositions of voltren, adol etc,
7. Stretches , crutches, bandages
8. Antiboitic dressings - fucidin guage.
9. Antiboitic ointment - fucidin cream , Antiseptic Solution - pethidine
10. Surgical suturing materials - Dexon ( absorbable)
11. dressing - solcoceril
12. Analgesics / Anti inflammatory
13. ORS ( Oral dehydrating Solutions)
14. Oxygen cylinders.
15. Surgical masks
16. Cardiac - strepto Kinase Injection, Asthma inhalers, Hypoglycemic agents
- glucophage, diamecron
17. Torches
18. Hard gloves
19. Skin Disease Medications
20. Wheel Chairs
21. Baby food

Food Items
1. Dry Milk
2. Baby Food + Cerelac
3. Bisctus
4. Noodles
5. Chips
6. Tea
7. Elaychee (Cardamom)
8. Garm Masala
9. Glucose Powder
10. Vicks
11. Tooth paste
12. Tooth Brushes
13. Feeders
14. Pampers
15. Toys
16. Cotton Pad

Miscellaneous
1. Blankets
2. Tents
3. Pressed Pillows
4. Umbrella
5. Jaa Namaz (Prayer Mats)
6. Gas Burner

Relief Camp Collection Points
1) Mrs. Saliha Sultana - Pakistan Islamia Higher School, Ras Al Khaimah -
07-2281146

2) Mr. Amjad Ali Khan - Pakistan Islamia School Fujairah - 09-2223130

3) Mrs. Samina Nasir - Pakistan Islamia School Ajman - 06-7434374

4) Shabbir Hussain Choudhry - Pakistan Islamia School Al Ain - 03-7677878

5) Mr. Raja Surfaraz - Pakistan Cultural & Welfare Center Sharjah -
050-6462335

6) Islamic Culture Center - Abu Dhabi - 02-4488312

Also Contact:
Shah Hussain Orakzai - Sawat Relief Operations Head
Cell # 050- 6761817

Mr. Asmat Ullah Qureshi
asmat@pakassociationdubai.com
Working hours 9:00 am - 10 pm
Open Friday and Saturdays also

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “The believer’s shade on the Day of
Resurrection will be his charity.” (Al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 604)

SOURCE: Sent via email by : Haris Nadeem

So in an effort to raise more awareness to the current IDP issue in Pakistan, we decided to launch www.helpidps.com - a twitter aggregator and a landing page for those looking to help
 out with the current crisis.

We encourage all of you to contribute with whatever you can. If you are a twitter user please remember to tag any IDP related tweet with either #IDP, #SWAT or #helpIDP and our system will aggregate that automatically.

 Also, we want to do something to raise funds quickly, so we are offering 5 banner spots on the following sites for 1 year for free for anyone who donates a sizable amount to any recognized charity organization who is helping out in SWAT relief effort.

You will be able to put your banner on helpIDPs.com and Mazaydar.com for 1 year.

Let us help those in need. Let’s spread the word via all the social networks that we can think of.

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Credit: Random musings (Obaid) of Mazaydar.com & http://deensoft.com/