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Water Survival Box latest - Pakistan flooding

 

During the past few days WSB has been alerted to the developing disaster caused by extreme monsoon rains in the Sindh province of Pakistan. The disaster is estimated to be on a larger scale than the 2010 monsoon floods and already some 1.3 million homes have been damaged and more than 7 million people are directly affected. Families have again lost their homes and possessions, and do not have access to clean water. Rotarians will have seen the distressing scenes on the national TV news programmes.

On 15 September contact was made with DG 3271 Iqbal Qureshi - his district includes Sindh province - advising him of the availability of Water-Survival Boxes. By return he requested we send supplies and provided details of his appointed co-ordinator to handle incoming aid for distribution by Rotarians in the affected areas. Since then we have confirmed essential arrangements for reception and distribution in Pakistan and are currently finalising air cargo transport to Karachi where DG Qureshi will ensure rapid transit through customs. A total of 500 standard Water-Survival Boxes are scheduled to leave our depot in Somerset mid-week. We have also offered boxes to our partner aid agency, Humanity First UK, through their Vice Chairman who is liaising with the permanent HF unit in Islamabad.

Rotarians will recall that WSB were able to send a total of some 1,340 boxes to Pakistan in 2010, largely due to the tremendous funding support we received from Rotary Clubs across virtually all Districts in RIBI. If any club wishes to respond to the current emergency in Pakistan WSB would be pleased to convert donations into more Water-Survival Boxes - see www.worldwaterworks.org for details.

Cheques made out to 'Worldwaterworks Limited' should be sent either to the registered office or to Hogo Pike (WSB chairman) at Rotary, The White House, Pensford, Bristol BS39 4NE. Donations intended for Pakistan will be used for that purpose for as long as the need continues - thereafter they will be used to replenish stock for the next disaster.

Hugo Pike PHF, Chairman - Worldwaterworks Limited PP RC Chelwood Bridge - NE Somerset  - D 1200

September 2011