In light of the massive ongoing floods that have engulfed our country, devastation and suffering are widespread, many have been rendered homeless without any food and water. The Mahvash and Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation is a not-for-profit organization that is currently heavily involved in this challenging endeavor by providing assistance to the affectees of the massive flood.
The Mahvash and Jahangir Siddiqui Foundation has been a strong advocate of various philanthropic activities in the past as well, including extensive relief efforts in the 2005 earthquake and the 2008 IDP crisis.
The current catastrophe at hand is the worst floods that have hit Pakistan with the death toll rising above 1600 people, with more than 20 million people directly affected and destroying all homes along the length of the Indus River. Starvation, disease and weakness are widespread and the threat of infections is becoming increasingly intense. Amongst these, diarrhea, respiratory infections and water borne diseases are the highest. There is a dire need to minimize the damage which is currently being caused by the lack of basic healthcare and amenities. The primary area of focus of the foundation is to provide food, water and medicine to all those affected.
Thus far, the Foundation has initiated relief efforts in Sindh, Southern Punjab and part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. To date, the Foundation has provided food rations, water and basic medical supplies to over 1,466 families amounting to an estimated 10,597 people in the affected areas which should last them for a period of 8-10 days. The Foundation has established 3 camps in Sindh and 1 in Punjab, and is providing food, medical support and other facilities to over 2500 people in its camps and to other camps as well.
One of the key NGO’s that the Foundation is collaborating with is the Sindh Rural Support Organization (SRSO) and the Omar Asghar Khan Development Foundation (OAKDF) in addition to the Provincial and National Disaster Management Authorities. The foundation has also established a flood relief website www.mjsf.net that provides regular updates on their on going relief efforts and the situation on ground. Further more, it also guides donors how to donate. The foundation is now also accepting In Kind donations at select JS Bank Branches in Karachi.
The Foundations aims to continue to provide assistance those in dire need of help. The situation is undoubtedly much worse than imagined. Number of people is overwhelming as opposed to the relief efforts that have been carried out. There will be a significant increase in the number of affectees of in the foreseeable future. A lot needs to be done and urgent help is required. We hope to alleviate the pain and suffering of many through the efforts of the foundation and the generous donations of various.
