University of Lahore (UOL) Flood Relief Team has so far delivered a much-needed emergency assistance in Charsadha District (Khyber Pakhtoonkhaw) as well as Rajan Pur District (South Punjab). Our team effort has overcome the initial hardships faced by the victims by providing relief to over 2500 families in the form of food, utensils and medical aid.
We feel proud to say that our effort is purely voluntary. The University of Lahore staff and students take off time from the university and volunteer their time, presence and logistics for the aid work. The University of Lahore (UOL) has the services of hundreds of student-volunteers for the execution of its aid plan. These students are young and energetic and can access unreachable far-flung areas in rajanpur our student volunteers are providing assistance to Pakistan army for reaching out to people through boats Unlike many NGOs, our volunteers do not ask for any compensation and work as philanthropists.This enables us to focus the efforts and 100 % of the funds for the relief work. This collective effort has made it possible for us to help the community in times of disaster. This is not the first time that UOL is helping the suffering people.We have played a constructive relief and rehabilitation role for 2005 earthquake victims in Balakot as well as for the IDPs of Swat. The rehabilitation and rebuilding role is still being carried out in those areas and UOL is supporting some schools as well as providing community health-care over there.
The scale of current disaster has affected at least 20 million people across the country with loss to their homes, crops and livestock. The initial relief effort of UOL team focused on sustaining the hungry people.
The major challenge posed now is the resettlement and rebuilding of their homes, schools, health centers and infrastructure so that they can return to their normal life.
The University itself has allocated 4 million rupees for the purpose of relief and rehabilitation of the flood victims. Moreover, a number of private donors from the industry have also donated money to UOL for this purpose. Some donors have contributed by giving flour, stoves, shoes etc. Our student-volunteers are currently carrying out aid work in Districts of Charsadha and Rajan Pur and working for the relief efforts under the supervision of Mr. and Mrs. Nasir Mahmood (Pro- Rector, UOL).
Flood Assistance Schemes
The following schemes are available under The University of Lahore Flood Relief Campaign for the interested donors.
The following schemes are available under The University of Lahore Flood Relief Campaign for the interested donors.
Personal Hardship and Distress Assistance
We aim to provide disaster relief grants to eligible individuals and families whose homes have been destroyed or damaged by the flood. People with limited or no financial resources and completely damaged homes will be eligible for assistance for rebuilding and structural repairs to the home.
We aim to provide disaster relief grants to eligible individuals and families whose homes have been destroyed or damaged by the flood. People with limited or no financial resources and completely damaged homes will be eligible for assistance for rebuilding and structural repairs to the home.
The following measures have been taken for rebuilding of 200 houses initially in Charsadha District, near Nowshera:
- Visits to villages and hamlets for assessing structural damage to houses of the victims
- Interviewing families for need analysis and adoption
- Costing of building material and labor
A team of surveyors has visited and adopted 200 families for the purpose of construction of their homes. The verifications are done through local social workers and community about the authenticity of their claims.
We aim to provide them with better structural material that includes stone and cement instead of the traditional mud and straw. We also aim to involve the families for building their own homes. The hired labor for laying 2 feet stone foundations and 4 feet of stone wall as well as cement and roof material will be provided by UOL while the walls and roof will be constructed on a self-help basis.
Provision of Essential Household Items
We also aim to provide disaster relief grants to eligible individuals and families whose essential household items have been destroyed or damaged by the flood. People with limited or no financial resources are eligible for assistance for essential household items.
These include:
- Bedding
- Charpoys
- Mattresses
- Quilts
- Pillows
- Bed covers
- Buckets
- Kitchen
- Utensils
- Stoves
- Clothing
Sustained Food Distribution Scheme
We aim to provide consistent food supplies to the affected families. The food packs are designed for a family of 6 people which is costing us Rs.1,900/- and include following.
We aim to provide consistent food supplies to the affected families. The food packs are designed for a family of 6 people which is costing us Rs.1,900/- and include following.
Food Packs ( for 10 to 15 days per family )
- 20 kg Flour
- 5 kg Rice
- 4 kg Daal Channa
- 2.5 kg Ghee
- 250 g Tea
- 450 g Dry milk
- 2 kg Sugar/ Gurh
- 500g Salt
- 150 g Red Chili Powder
- 1 Bath and 1 Kitchen Soap
- 2 Laundry Soaps
- 1 bottle of Rooh Afza
- 1 kg Dates
- 1 pack Sawayyan ( Vermicelli)
Provision of Clean Drinking Water Scheme
The University of Lahore has acquired a water filtration plant in Charsadha. It will be placed in accessible location for the community. This has been purchased from So-Safe water Filter Company. We aim to do the same for Rajan Pur area.
The University of Lahore has acquired a water filtration plant in Charsadha. It will be placed in accessible location for the community. This has been purchased from So-Safe water Filter Company. We aim to do the same for Rajan Pur area.
Provision of Medical assistance Scheme
We are already holding medical camps on a fortnightly basis at Charsadha. We need all medical and financial support that can help us in execution of relief work.
We are already holding medical camps on a fortnightly basis at Charsadha. We need all medical and financial support that can help us in execution of relief work.
WHO said waterborne, airborne and vector-borne diseases, including acute diarrhea, measles, malaria and acute respiratory infections, are threats due to overcrowding, lack of hygiene and breakage in waterlines. More than 250,000 cases of diarrhea and about 270,000 of skin diseases have been reported so far
Concluding Remarks
We understand the enormous challenges lying ahead and seek help from the National and International Community to donate as much as possible for this cause. The above mentioned schemes for assistance are available to all donors. We also welcome the donors to visit our relief effort areas and witness the rebuilding process as well as relief efforts. The University will arrange for their stay along with the volunteers.
Our goal is to reach out to as many deserving people and then to help them take responsibility of their own lives.
We appeal to all philanthropists and donor agencies to donate as much as possible for the rehabilitation of flood victims.
Please deposit your donations in following Bank Accounts
- Faysal Bank (Thokar Niaz Baig, Lahore)
Swift Code: FAYSPKKAXXX
A/c Title: Nasir Mahmood & Awais Raoof
A/C No: 0160-2041200-001 - Bank Al-Habib (Thokar Niaz Baig, Lahore)
Swift Code: BAHLPKKA
A/c Title: The University of Lahore
A/C No: 0044-0081-00060-01-2
After deposit, please send us details of bank transaction via following emails:
The University of Lahore
Flood Disaster Relief Campaign
Stage 1
A team of surveyors, headed by Mr. Nasir Mahmood along with Nauman Azhar, went to Charsadha on August 1 and returned on August 2, 2010 with first hand information about the immediate needs of the flood victims.
Evaluation Report
The city of Charsadha has been chosen because the areas in and around Charsadha have been gravely affected by these floods. Charsadha is easily accessible from Mardan, which has been selected as the base for all our relief measures. The assistance of a local contact Malik Asad, for this area, has been employed in this regard. The survey team leader met a number of influential elders of Charsadha to inform them about the relief efforts and to ensure safety of our aid workers.
The situation in Charsadha is grim. With water receding there is an immediate concern of massive outbreaks of disease. The silt left behind by receding waters has destroyed everything in sight. The team has identified 4 schools buildings and a college building with huge courtyards and grounds. There are nearly 3500 people residing in despicable conditions in these buildings. There is over-crowding and many people are sleeping under the open sky. We have adopted these particular people for our immediate attention.
Plan of Action
Plan of Action
A second team of volunteers will be going to Charsadha on August 3, 2010. The purpose of this team is to identify family units for the distribution of goods. In this regard, ration cards will be issued on site and records will be kept for future reference. Moreover, provisions for the victims will be identified for disbursement immediately.
The storage space for food rations has already been identified.
Immediate Requirements
It has been sadly determined that these flood victims are living in desolate and miserable conditions. We aim to address their immediate need: Food
Stage 2
Stage 2
With immediate effect the following measures are being taken.
· Fund raising
· Purchasing of basic necessities
· Meetings with the regular donors
· Setting up of storage and serving camp at Charsadha
Basic Necessities Required
Basic Necessities Required
1. Food Packs ( for 1 week per family )
2. Milk for babies
3. Kitchen Utensils
4. Beddings
Relief Efforts for Flood Affected Areas by University Of Lahore (UOL)
Let us join hands to do it again…
The unprecedented floods that have hit almost all of Pakistan, especially Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, have caused serious devastation in that region. Approximately 2,500,000 people require our immediate support and attention. Many people have died and thousands have been rendered homeless. Estimates from rescue service officials suggest the death toll may exceed 3000 victims.
University of Lahore (UOL) has been responding to a number of emergencies and calamities which have devastated various parts of Pakistan during the last five years. We were at the forefront in providing relief to most of the area, in and around Balakot, after the earthquake in October 2005.
Our team of volunteers, local authorities and community elders worked together, during the 2005 crisis, to identify beneficiaries such as families whose homes were destroyed or rendered irreparable, orphans, people who were most vulnerable, including female-headed households, families with children under age 5, persons suffering from chronic illness, disabled people and the elderly. Through our systematic and well-planned approach, each person received a food ration and shelter, immediately after the earthquake. Medical camps were set up to treat sick and injured people. Their on-going medical follow up still takes place on a regular basis. For the last 5 years till now, we have been able to rehabilitate a number of families and individuals in Balakot. A lot of families still receive a monthly food ration from us.
After the success of Balakot relief efforts, our dedicated team, comprising of young students and teachers, of UOL again volunteered and committed to provide sustenance for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of Swat in the same manner.
Unfortunately, Pakistan has been hit once again by another natural calamity in the form of massive floods. The same team from University of Lahore has volunteered, yet again, to work beyond the call of duty, to help the people of Charsadha.
We want to undertake this task with immediate effect. We request the well- to- do and God- fearing community, to come forward and extend financial support to our program.
Please note that a team has already gone to Charsadha for a general survey on how we can help the people affected by the floods. We will provide further details of our relief efforts after the return of our team from Charsadha.
Kindly contact Mr. Nasir Mahmood (Pro-Rector University of Lahore) or Ms. Farah Mahmood for any queries. nasir@uol.edu.pk, farahfb@hotmail.com
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