IRC calls for support to mitigate the spread in Pakistan

WEB DESK – Atif Iqbal Khan approached the International Rescue Committee (IRC) towards end of February 2020 about evolving COVID 19 situation and that how can the International Rescue Committee contribute. They informed about possible interventions in this regard and donors that can be approached. The International Rescue Committee also sought support in getting NOCs and coordination at provincial and Federal level.

Atif Iqbal Khan with the support of Ali Amin Khan Gandapur arranged their meetings with Ministry of Interior and EAD as a result of which they got MoU to support on-going Government response to COVID 19. Resultantly, the International Rescue Committee Secured 3 million EURO from European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operation (ECHO) through International Rescue Committee (IRC) to support 3 government health facilities (one each in KP, Sindh and Balochistan) to respond to COVID 19 situation.

Baluchistan

IRC with the help of government identified Sheikh Zayed Hospital in city of Quetta and aims to establish one Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with 10 beds capacity with 50 Isolation beds for COVID-19 patients.

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa

In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, IRC with support of government has identified Hepatology Center, Hashtnagaree in Peshawar City and will be establishing one Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with 10 beds capacity with 50 Isolation beds for COVID-19 patients.

Sindh

IRC in Sindh has identified two hospital, NIPPA Hospital and Malir Hospital and one of them is yet to be finalized. IRC has planned to establish one Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with 10 beds capacity with 50 Isolation beds for COVID-19 patients.

Apart from above planned activities, IRC will support 45,000 COVID-19 tests and 6,000,000 people will be reached through Risk Communication and Communication Engagement (RCCE)

The initial support coming from the IRC via its partner MERF under ECHO funding is for 06 months. Atif Khan asked them to increase this support and the IRC went back to its donor with additional request of funds to carry on for longer period. The IRC submitted a proposal for supporting the health facility till Decmeber 2021 on which the donor approval is awaited.

The said facility is expected to start by 1st July with support of the International Rescue Committee and ECHO funding.