AsiaNews delivers aid to flood victims in Sindh province
Food, tents, and mosquito nets arrived in Allah Bachao Shoro, a village of 150 families who lost everything. So far, “no one has helped us, but the Almighty God sent you here to support us,” said catechist Abdul Majeed. Now, “we want to rebuild our homes.” Even though flood waters have receded, some 5.2 million people are still completely destitute. For its part, AsiaNews continues its fundraising campaign.
Sindh (AsiaNews) – Following Pakistan’s devastating floods in late August, caused by a combination of violent monsoon rains and melting glaciers from this year’s record heat, AsiaNews organised a campaign to help the people of Allah Bachao Shoro (May God save us), a village in Sindh province who, like millions of others were affected by the disaster.
"I have no words to express my feelings. Weeks have passed since the flood, but no one has helped us, but the Almighty God sent you here to support us,” said Abdul Majeed, a local catechist, expressing his gratitude to AsiaNews readers for their financial support.
A third of Pakistan was submerged with serious damage to homes, crops, livestock, and infrastructure. Some 5.2 million people are still completely destitute, especially women and girls, some of whom are still without shelter or spare clothes.
According to reliable statistics, at least 650.000 pregnant women are affected by the consequences of the flood, with 73,000 expected to give birth this month.
Amid this immense catastrophe, AsiaNews launched a campaign through the Fondazione Pime Onlus, heeding the appeal of one village, Allah Bachao Shoro, home to some 150 families who lost everything.
Despite difficult communications, the AsiaNews correspondent managed to reach the village in the Hyderabad area to deliver aid, the first to arrive.
By combining our contribution with that of some Pakistani Christian benefactors, it was possible to hand out relief items to some 90 Christian, Muslim, and Hindu families in Allah Bachao Shoro and meet the most urgent needs.
Each family received a large package of dry food, a tent, and two mosquito nets. The food included flour, spices, legumes, milk, oil, sugar, tea, rice, and soap – enough for a small family for a month. Women also received small cash grants to buy other items locally.
The distribution took place at a church two kilometres from the village - locals warned AsiaNews of the risk of looting in an area of extreme poverty.
In Allah Bachao Shoro, poor families lost everything; the enormity of the damage is beyond imagination: crops, livestock, and homes are all gone. Even though the waters are receding, the situation is one of desperation and widespread chaos.
"Many people visited our ghot (village) and took pictures, but they did not help us. We still live on the canal bank without tents. Different diseases like malaria, diarrhoea, and skin rashes are spreading; some people were bitten by snakes and insects,” explained catechist Abdul Majeed.
“I am very grateful to AsiaNews and all the people of God who have supported us. It is very important for us,” he added. “We have no job, our fields were devastated, and we want to rebuild our homes. Winter is coming, and we need warm clothes, quilts, and blankets. Please continue to help us.”
Geeta Devi, a 48-year-old Hindu woman, is also grateful. “You are the first to help us with these items; we are very grateful. This food is enough for us for a month. Our government is not taking concrete steps to improve the situation; for this reason, I humbly ask the people of God to please help us at this crucial moment.”
In view of the situation, the fundraising campaign promoted by AsiaNews continues.
Donations can be made via credit card or PayPal by clicking here and select PAKISTAN EMERGENCY Aid for flood victims.
Donations can also be made to the Fondazione Pime Onlus, indicating PAKISTAN EMERGENCY as the reason, by the following payment methods:
Bank transfers payable to Fondazione Pime Onlus, Crédit Agricole
IBAN IT89M0623001633000015111283
Please always send an email to uam@pimemilano.com to confirm the transfer, with your name, address, fiscal code if you are a resident of Italy (or social security/national insurance number in other countries), place and date of birth. This information is needed to obtain a tax credit receipt.
Postal account No. 39208202 made out to Fondazione Pime Onlus.
Cheque or bank draft made out to Fondazione Pime Onlus, mailed to Fondazione Pime Onlus, via Monte Rosa, 81 – 20149 Milan, Italy
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