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One year after the earthquake
another trial face the people…
One year after the tragic
earthquake many areas of Sindh and Punjab are experiencing another natural
disaster. The districts of Lower Sindh Hyderabad, Sanghar, Mirpurkhas and Badeen
experienced heavy torrential rainfall on 7th and 8th September 2006 .
The rain was followed by dust storm and strong winds. The rain fall measured
broke the record of 44 years. The result was disastrous for the population in
the area.
In the cities vast areas were
submerged in water. Civic life was paralyzed. Citizens report that water mixed
with sewerage waste entered their houses within hours and they barely got the
chance to save their lives. The roads were over flooded, power supply and
sewerage systems collapsed in many areas. People were rescued on boats by the
army and brought to relief camps. The rescue operation is still continuing. Some
camps have been set up in schools and marriage halls. The overall death toll is
still not known but it would be in hundreds. Also, the stagnant water which the
authorities say will take another week to drain is creating serious health
problem.
The situation in the rural
areas is worse due to lack of access and information. Many villages were
submerged due to breaches in canals and rainfall. Rice, cotton and sugar cane
crops are ruined. People are waiting for help to arrive or trying to make their
way to larger towns and cities but the odds are great.
Its time to help our brothers
and sisters in this hour of need….
The present calamity has
affected rich and poor, urban and rural alike but as always the poor, women and
children are in need of our immediate help. Our prayers are for all those who
have suffered loss of lives and property.
The immediate need of the
affectees is adequate food, drinking water and clothes.
We have targeted areas where no
support has arrived and where we have access through our local contacts. The
food stuff and basic needs of the people are bought from the nearby areas and
provided as transporting stuff from Karachi is not feasible.
To date we have provided relief
to villages between Hyderabad and Mir pur khas, parts of Hyderabad and Badeen.
As more funds are collected and
more areas are identified our relief efforts will expand, inshaAllah.
Please see this space for more
updates.
For information contact:
021-5896704, 021-5394764
Jazaallahu Khairan
Social welfare department
Regional Office, Karachi
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