Houston, Texas, USA (Our Special Correspondent): Pakistan was hit by one of the worst climate change incidents in August 2022, where consistent melting of glaciers, & 3-to-5 times more rains resulted in a phenomenon called Monsoon on Steroids. Community of Houston is always at the forefront of human services, and around 40 entities joined hands with the Alliance of Disaster Relief (AFDR) to pledge $1 million cash and $1 million in-kind assistance to the people of Pakistan.
Half-a-million dollars cash was raised in September 2022, and 6 months later, the second half-a-million target has been accomplished. A humble ceremony of handing over the amount to implementing partner of AFDR Helping Hand for Relief and Development (HHRD) was held at the warehouse of HHRD on Thursday, March 2, 2023 attended by the Consul General of Pakistan Abrar Hashmi, Chief Patron of AFDR Syed Javaid Anwar, generous donors Tanweer Ahmad, Haroon Shaikh, FerozeBhandara,Walter Ulrich of Medical Bridges, Alliance Coordinator Muhammad Saeed Sheikh, Director Yaqoob Sheikh, ILyasChoudry and Saad Ansar of HHRD, Pakistan Student Associationandnotable community media.
It was informed that more than $400,000 worth of brand new in-kind gifts have been sent to Pakistan, while around $600,000 worth of brand new medical supplies through Medical Bridges will be sent within the next month.
Up till now implementing partner HHRD has served more than 400,000 sufferers of Pakistan Floods, and more are being still reached, as around 20 million out of original 33 million are still reeling. Poverty level in Pakistan has gone up considerably, and damages have been estimated at $30 billion requiring years of recuperation efforts.
Through the generous giving from benefactors of AFDR, more than 70,000 persons have been served through medical camps, family dignity survival packages, clean water, hygiene items, and shelter provisions.
HHRD is presently building 620 homes as a small effort to settle from among the 2 million people, who have lost their homes. More will be done as support continues to pour in by fellow human beings. Out of the 620, around 150 homes have been sponsored by AFDR that are located in all the 4 provinces & will be finished by October 31, 2023.
For more information, one can reach AFDR at +1-281-948-1840.
