Houston, Texas, September 1st, 2022 (Press Release): Pakistan is the 5th most populace country of the world with over 231 million people. The Monsoons of 2022 have proven to be one of the worst to ever hit Pakistan with humanitarian needs likely to surpass those of the 2005 Earthquake.
Unprecedented 3 times more amounts of rainfall and severe life-threatening situation has been created in 80 out of 160 districts; causing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis affecting over 33 million people across the country (15% of the population).
As of August 31st, 2022; according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) [similar to FEMA in the US], widespread infrastructure damages and landslides have caused:
- Affected = 33 Million
- Population in Camps = 468,030 (1000s stranded under open skies surrounded by water)
- Demised = 1,191
- Injured = 3,634
- Homes Partially Damaged = 733,536
- Homes Fully Destroyed = 372,823
- Total Homes Impacted = 1,106,359
- Crops Ruined = 2 Million Acres
- Livestock Perished = 731,818
- Bridges = 243
- Shops = 173
- Roadways washed away = 3,146 miles
- Total Loss = $10 Billion
Such destruction means that subsistence and livelihood of residents of Pakistan have now been affected for 5 to 10 years to come.
Houstonians are considered to be one of the kindest people. One of the most devastated cities in Pakistan right now is Karachi (the commercial and financial hub of Pakistan), which is the Sister City of Houston.
Feeling the responsibilities of serving the fellow human beings in today’s close-knit world, “Alliance For Disaster Relief”, a 501c3 organization (EIN 82-3520482) that have always brought several elected officials & community organizations on one platform to serve the humanity; on Monday, August 29th, 2022 called a meeting of the community, where members of 32 organizations.
These 30+ entities have pledged that working together to realize the Blessings in Unity, they will provide recuperation services to the people of Pakistan, & will do all sort of outreach to gather resources.
For this purpose, a fundraising event is being organized on Friday, September 9, 2022 at 7:30pm at Marquee Banquet & Event Center, 11040 Southwest Freeway, Houston, Texas 77074, where elected officials, and community business persons and members will be in attendance.
In the meeting, it was decided that in the initial phase, the field assistance intervention will be done through long standing implementing partner of AFDR & the Houston Karachi Sister Association (HKSCA) named “Helping Hand for Relief and Development’s (HHRD: EIN 31-1628040)”.
HHRD is registered 501 c3 in the USA, and is also registered in Pakistan as International NGO (INGO) with the Ministry of Interior.
Having started in 2005, HHRD has effective teams of staff & 100s of volunteers all across Pakistan in the four provinces and 3 territories– Baluchistan, Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad, Gilgit Baltistan, and Azad Jammu Kashmir.
Ranked one of the highest-rated organizations by the Charity Navigator for over ten years, HHRD has been working in Pakistan since 2005; at present have annual humanitarian investment in Pakistan of $12.50 million+; supporting more than 10,000 orphans, and several beneficiaries of programs & projects like skills development & livelihood, education support, healthcare & nutrition, water and sanitation hygiene, and much more.
The present dire situation in Pakistan in fact started slowly in June 2022; and by July, it developed into serious situation, and now catastrophic.
HHRD has been working on this endeavor since July 14th, 2022 providing immediate relief and assistance through food, water, shelter, mobile medical care, and getting families to safety.
From July 14th till August 31st, 2022, HHRD has helped 117,788 people; immediate relief works are continuing, while long-term rehabilitation & settlement plans are also in place for affected families in the upcoming months & years to come.
