dcpak - relief

Lobby for Tents, Helicopters and Medical Aid

Wed, 02 Nov 2005 09:40:20 -0500

We URGENTLY need more helicopters to airlift survivors and fly relief supplies, tents to provide shelter from the cold, and medical care for the sick and wounded. Please help us lobby your congressperson, President Bush and NATO to send more aid. Winter is only a few weeks away! Enter your zip code to submit a quick and simple petition.

Send Tents and Winterized Bedding

Wed, 02 Nov 2005 09:27:57 -0500

From saquake.org

The most urgent priority need on the ground right now is for shelter and warmth. Below is a list of resources on donating tents - Please keep in mind that tents should be 'winterized' and water-proof, accomodate at least 5-8 people and where possible, should have some bathroom facility

Doctors Focusing on Urgency of Transporting Donations

Mon, 31 Oct 2005 05:25:30 -0500

WASHINGTON: A group of doctors from Georgetown University Hospital and other areas is appealing for urgent donations to send vital supplies to the quake-hit area.

The 25-doctors group, which returned last week from Pakistan after making an urgent trip there, says in a note to the National Council of Pakistani Americans (www.ncpa.info) that tones of important items are decaying at New York’s JFK airport due to the non-availability of cargo space on PIA flights.

Artificial Limbs (Prosthetics) for Pakistan

Wed, 26 Oct 2005 05:56:14 -0500

My name is Usman and I work as an International Trade Analyst for a law firm in Washington, DC.

As you may know, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck close to Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-administered Kashmir on 8 October. The earthquake has cause widespread destruction in the area and has affected many in India and Pakistan. There are now reports of over 50,000 confirmed deaths and devastation that may take a decade to repair. The World Food Programme says some 500,000 people in remote areas have received no aid at all. One of the biggest problems is meeting the demand for tents that can provide shelter as the cold weather worsens.

I have been involved in the relief effort - both in terms of raising funds and collecting/shipping goods and supplies to Pakistan. My family, working out of Pakistan, has recently informed me that an area overlooked is the need for Artificial Limbs for Victims. The Federal Health Minister, Muhammad Nasir Khan, has reiterated government's decision not to send any injured person of the earthquake abroad for treatment. This means that any demand for artificial limbs will be met by imports and possible local production. Therefore, I am writing to you to find out if you, or someone you know, would be interested in setting up an artificial limb manufacturing facility in Pakistan for the benefit of the earthquake victims.

There are a few specific things I need help with:

Reconciling Donations

Mon, 24 Oct 2005 12:42:17 -0500

Visit this section to find out how you can help continue to support the relief effort.

I've spent the last few days working with a large number of enthusiastically dedicated individuals who have been sorting out thousands of boxes of donations, transferring them from ADAMS to a warehouse and onto a tractor-trailor.

We've had to turn away a large number of donors. Some have been sending in regular clothes and an unusual odd assortment of utterly unnecessary goods. Now only tents, medical supplies and blankets are being accepted; no exceptions.

URGENT: Appeal for young medical doctors

Fri, 21 Oct 2005 04:40:23 -0500

URGENT: Young medical doctors needed for medical team working with SUNGI out of Muzaffarabad.

I post this on behalf of a close friend who just called me from Muzzaffarabad, where he is working with SUNGI. SUNGI urgently needs medical doctors and/or final year medical students as part of a medical team to *travel by foot for several hours* to outlying villages beyond Muzaffarabad that *have not been accessed at all* as they are only accessibly by foot, and where individuals and families need urgent medical help.

$80 to Save a Family

Thu, 20 Oct 2005 10:12:44 -0500

AP: Search for shelter in Pakistan frantic

It is clear what is needed most in Pakistan now and communities from China to North America have responded by donating tents and finding creative ways (recycling bilboard canvas) to provide warmth and shelter to the homeless.

PODA appeal for help for vehicle, tents, and other supplies

Tue, 18 Oct 2005 17:20:03 -0500

Dear Friends:
This is Sameena Nazir from Pakistan. I need your urgent attention to our latest update below. Please take a few minutes to read and help if you can. Please also pass on this message to others you know who may be able to help. Thanks.

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UPDATE: Monday, October 16, 2005
Our Pakistani NGO, PODA has sent two teams to the worst hit areas of the earthquake in Kashmir.

Tent Drive!

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 18:11:52 -0500

Shenaaz Janmohammed, along with a team from Pakistan and the UK are coordinating a fund to purchase a large number of tents both in Pakistan and abroad. These tents will be sent through different distribution channels to remote populations in the north that have not been as accessible to international aid.

To donate visit http://tentdrive.blogspot.com

A Personal Account from a Friend

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 17:43:02 -0500

Below is a blog entry from a friend of mine Mustafa Hadi, who is also an Impak Co-Director.

Mustafa's narrative, both engaging and difficult to fathom, provides you a perspective from an outside volunteer working among extraordinary conditions alongside extraordinary people.

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Need More DC Drop-Off Locations

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 16:52:07 -0500

While communities from Seattle to New York have provided extensive information on drop-off locations, there has not been a similar level of coordination for the Greater DC community.

Individuals and organizations in the area need to come out and offer some space to store relief items and a handoff to PIA and other distribution networks.

200,000 Tents Needed

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 16:36:49 -0500

The current priority is to get as many tents to affected populations as soon as possible. The winter weather will wreak greater havoc on an already grim situation. See also these news items from BBC and NPR.

InsanityWorks.org

Mon, 17 Oct 2005 12:35:24 -0500

Ameel and Nadia Khan have been maintaining a very helpful site in Pakistan. If you're interested in connecting with individuals on the ground or providing support, please visit their website (www.insanityworks.org).

Attached is an email update from them.

Tents Desperately Needed

Sun, 16 Oct 2005 13:40:42 -0500

The influx of donations and supplies will likely begin their slow wane in the coming weeks. While medical supplies are needed now, reports are coming in of the long-term need of keeping those affected sheltered and warm over the upcoming months of wintery weather.

Tents are needed in massive amounts with an effective means to transport them. Some points to note:

Sending used and new tents from abroad through PIA is not always effective as there are extensive delays with receiving customs permission
Funds should be allocated for the long-term to supply tents for affected populations
Tents should be purchased within Pakistan and transported
If there is a domestic limit on supply then they should be purchased and transported directly from a local manufacturer (possibly China).

Action Items:

Urgent Appeal for Medical Supplies

Sat, 15 Oct 2005 09:17:02 -0500

Dear Friends,

Urgent need for the Surgical supplies, in particular the orthopedic equipment.

After the roads were opened, there has been a massive influx of trauma patients at the Ayub Medical Complex in Abbottabad, most being treated in make shift tents outside the hospital building. It has become the first stop for all surgical emergencies for people being evacuated from the areas destroyed north/northeast of Abbottabad.