Ahlul Bayt News Agency (ABNA.ir), LONDON, A leading British Muslim Charity has launched two million pounds emergency appeal for the Pakistani floods and said the response from the public had been overwhelming.Speaking at a media briefing on Tuesday, Chairman, Muslim Aid, Sir Iqbal Sacranie said the organisation had been able to raise 400,00 pounds within a very short time. Coming to know about the tragic events unfolding in Pakistan in the wake of the devastating floods, Muslim Aid responded immediately on the ground has provided emergency relief to those have been affected by the natural calamity with food, medicines, shelter and clean water through our Pakistan field office, he said.
According to Sir Iqbal, 250,000 pounds were despatched to Pakistan to address the needs of the flood affectees while plans to deal in the rehabilitation process once the waters recede are also in hands.
He said with UN estimating that 14 million people as being affected by these floods in the three provinces of Pakistan, the figures are truly horrendous.
He thanked the donors and supporters for their response to the crisis in Pakistan. Sir Iqbal also launched the Ramadan 2010 Campaign Appeal and said during the holy month expected to commence in the UK from August 11 they intend to raise over three million pounds.
Last year our target for raising funds was 2.5 million pounds but managed to secure 3.2 million pounds. This year we aim to cross four million pounds.
He said the money raised from Ramadan programme will be spent on various projects across the world from healthcare, educational programmes and childcare support.
Muslim Aid CEO Syed Sharfuddin told media persons that during the Ramadan, 240,000 pounds will be distributed in 50 Muslim states to feed the fasting.
Regarding Pakistans floods, he said Muslim Aid has established a hospital in Nowshera which has now started functioning. Additionally, he said there are 50 staff officers working in Pakistan who have distributed 95 tents, thousands of food packets, medicines, water purifying tables and other items among the victims of floods.
Sir Iqbal said Muslim Aid will continue to support the people of Pakistan in this testing times during Ramadan and after.
Earlier, British MP Jim Fitzpatrick said the British Government will continue to set aside 0.7 per cent of its GDP for the international aid assistance. He spoke of the horrendous floods and appealed to the international community to help the stricken people in Pakistan generously.
He pointed out that donations made by the British public to help victims of the worst floods in Pakistan’s history have reached 6 million pounds.
Meanwhile, the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) has said around 545,000 survivors have been provided with emergency care, clean water, food or shelter as a result of British aid.
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