Crescent�NewsA Quarterly Magazine of Pakistan Red Crescent Society April-June, 2019

Food for the deserving with dignityFood for the deserving with dignity

CRESCENT NEWS

The Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) kicked off a host of weeklong countrywide activities on May 2 to celebrate the World Red Cross Red Crescent Day (RCRC) under the theme “Serving Humanity With love”.

The world celebrates the Day under different themes on May 8 annually as the birth anniversary of the RCRC founder Henry Dunant, but in Pakistan the celebrations were started on May 2 in view of the sanctity of Ramadan (starting from May 7) and the rigors and hardships associated with the holy month.

The National Headquarters (NHQ) and all the provincial branches celebrated the Day in a befitting manner by arranging first aid/heatstroke relief camps and cake cutting ceremonies and distributing umbrellas and IEC (information, education and communication) material among the police and public.

A grand function was held at the PRCS National Headquarters, Islamabad in which the members of the Red Crescent Corps were administered oath.

The UAE Ambassador's representative Abdul Aziz, Member Managing Body Brig (retired) Abdul Hadi, Chairman Fata Branch Farid Khan Wazir, Action HoD IFRC, Thomas Gutner, HoD ICRC, Reto Stocker, Head of Delegation Turkish Red Crescent Society , Mr. Ibrahim Carlos, PRCS officers and other prominent figures attended the function.

Addressing the participants, Dr. Saeed Elahi said the PRCS had been putting out all stops to serve the humanity since its birth in 1947.

“Wherever a manmade or natural disaster hits an area, the Red Cross Red Crescent movement workers waste no time reaching there to serve the suffering humanity,” he said.

He said under the Movement's banner, the National Societies were active in 194 countries of the

A�WEEK�OF�RCRC�DAY�CELEBRATIONS

n��Dr.�Saeed�Elahi�says�PRCS�putting�out�all�stops�to�serve�the�humanity;�administers�oath�to�Red�Crescent�Corps'�members;�says�prompt�response�is�one�of�attributes�of�PRCS�

n��All�PRCS�provincial�branches�distribute�umbrellas�and�first�aid�kits�among�the�traffic�police

world. He said the purpose behind the weeklong celebrations was to pay tribute to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement Founder Henry Dunant's vision and his human-friendly approach, and to inculcate and promote a spirit of volunteerism among the youth.

“Youth make 64 of our population and we look towards them as our future and the biggest source of strength for the PRCS. Every religion enjoins its followers to love and serve humanity, and being the followers of Islam we also have to work towards this end. The PRCS represents the suffering humanity and prompt response is one of its attributes,” he said.

On this occasion, Dr. Saeed Elahi administered oath to the members of Red Crescent Corps.

Secretary General Khalid Bin Majeed expressed the PRCS's determination to continue its journey of serving the humanity. He said the Red Crescent Corps would never fail in giving a prompt response during manmade or natural disasters.

The PRCS volunteers presented an impressive tableau reflecting Father of the Nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah's principles and his vision of Pakistan.

On this occasion, 50 umbrellas were distributed among the Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) personnel.

FIRST AID TRAINING FOR JOURNALISTS & CTP PERSONNEL: In a related activity, the Media & Communication Department, Islamabad together with the Youth & Volunteer Department organized a first aid training session for journalists and City Traffic Police (CTP) personnel at the Red Crescent Nursing Training Center, Murree.

Journalists from the Murree Press Club and City Traffic Police personnel attended the session.

Chairman PRCS Dr Saeed Elahi and Secretary General Khalid Bin Majeed were present on the occasion.

The chairman appreciated the participation of

SOLEMN PLEDGE: Chairman PRCS Dr. Saeed Elahi administers oath to the participants and volunteers.

THIS IS OUR MANDATE: Volunteers stage a play, informing the audience about the mandate of the PRCS.

THIS IS HOW TO DO IT: PRCS volunteers impart first aid training to the participants in Murree.

COOL & REFRESHING: PRCS volunteers distribute cold drinks to motorists to mark the RCRC Day.

Humanity�is�but�a�single�brotherhoodHumanity�is�but�a�single�brotherhood

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Chairman PRCS Dr. Saeed Elahi distributing awareness posters among motorists at the Kutchery Chowk, Rawalpindi. Dr. Saeed Elahi hands umbrellas over to the Islamabad Traffic Police during a ceremony organized at the National Headquarters, Islamabad.

CRESCENT NEWS

The Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) kicked off a host of weeklong countrywide activities on May 2 to celebrate the World Red Cross Red Crescent Day (RCRC) under the theme “Serving Humanity With love”.

The world celebrates the Day under different themes on May 8 annually as the birth anniversary of the RCRC founder Henry Dunant, but in Pakistan the celebrations were started on May 2 in view of the sanctity of Ramadan (starting from May 7) and the rigors and hardships associated with the holy month.

The National Headquarters (NHQ) and all the provincial branches celebrated the Day in a befitting manner by arranging first aid/heatstroke relief camps and cake cutting ceremonies and distributing umbrellas and IEC (information, education and communication) material among the police and public.

A grand function was held at the PRCS National Headquarters, Islamabad in which the members of the Red Crescent Corps were administered oath.

The UAE Ambassador's representative Abdul Aziz, Member Managing Body Brig (retired) Abdul Hadi, Chairman Fata Branch Farid Khan Wazir, Action HoD IFRC, Thomas Gutner, HoD ICRC, Reto Stocker, Head of Delegation Turkish Red Crescent Society , Mr. Ibrahim Carlos, PRCS officers and other prominent figures attended the function.

Addressing the participants, Dr. Saeed Elahi said the PRCS had been putting out all stops to serve the humanity since its birth in 1947.

“Wherever a manmade or natural disaster hits an area, the Red Cross Red Crescent movement workers waste no time reaching there to serve the suffering humanity,” he said.

He said under the Movement's banner, the National Societies were active in 194 countries of the

A�WEEK�OF�RCRC�DAY�CELEBRATIONS

n��Dr.�Saeed�Elahi�says�PRCS�putting�out�all�stops�to�serve�the�humanity;�administers�oath�to�Red�Crescent�Corps'�members;�says�prompt�response�is�one�of�attributes�of�PRCS�

n��All�PRCS�provincial�branches�distribute�umbrellas�and�first�aid�kits�among�the�traffic�police

world. He said the purpose behind the weeklong celebrations was to pay tribute to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement Founder Henry Dunant's vision and his human-friendly approach, and to inculcate and promote a spirit of volunteerism among the youth.

“Youth make 64 of our population and we look towards them as our future and the biggest source of strength for the PRCS. Every religion enjoins its followers to love and serve humanity, and being the followers of Islam we also have to work towards this end. The PRCS represents the suffering humanity and prompt response is one of its attributes,” he said.

On this occasion, Dr. Saeed Elahi administered oath to the members of Red Crescent Corps.

Secretary General Khalid Bin Majeed expressed the PRCS's determination to continue its journey of serving the humanity. He said the Red Crescent Corps would never fail in giving a prompt response during manmade or natural disasters.

The PRCS volunteers presented an impressive tableau reflecting Father of the Nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah's principles and his vision of Pakistan.

On this occasion, 50 umbrellas were distributed among the Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) personnel.

FIRST AID TRAINING FOR JOURNALISTS & CTP PERSONNEL: In a related activity, the Media & Communication Department, Islamabad together with the Youth & Volunteer Department organized a first aid training session for journalists and City Traffic Police (CTP) personnel at the Red Crescent Nursing Training Center, Murree.

Journalists from the Murree Press Club and City Traffic Police personnel attended the session.

Chairman PRCS Dr Saeed Elahi and Secretary General Khalid Bin Majeed were present on the occasion.

The chairman appreciated the participation of

SOLEMN PLEDGE: Chairman PRCS Dr. Saeed Elahi administers oath to the participants and volunteers.

THIS IS OUR MANDATE: Volunteers stage a play, informing the audience about the mandate of the PRCS.

THIS IS HOW TO DO IT: PRCS volunteers impart first aid training to the participants in Murree.

COOL & REFRESHING: PRCS volunteers distribute cold drinks to motorists to mark the RCRC Day.

Humanity�is�but�a�single�brotherhoodHumanity�is�but�a�single�brotherhood

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Chairman PRCS Dr. Saeed Elahi distributing awareness posters among motorists at the Kutchery Chowk, Rawalpindi. Dr. Saeed Elahi hands umbrellas over to the Islamabad Traffic Police during a ceremony organized at the National Headquarters, Islamabad.

journalists and CTP personnel in the training. He said law-enforcement agencies’ (LEAs) personnel and journalists had always been in the frontline of action during disasters, accidents and emergencies, and the life-saving techniques imparted to them would enable them to save the lives of people.

At the end of training session, the chairman distributed certificates among the participants.

150 UMBRELLAS DISTRIBUTED A M O N G C T P P E R S O N N E L : Meanwhile, in a simple ceremony held at the GPO, Murree 50 umbrellas were distributed among the City Traffic Police (CTP) personnel.

One hundred umbrellas were also distributed among the CTP Rawalpindi personnel in a simple ceremony held at the Kutchery Chowk, Rawalpindi. Dr Saeed Elahi handed the umbrellas over to DSP Traffic Police Iqbal Kazmi.

Awareness pamphlets carrying messages on health & care and road safety were also distributed among motorists at the Kutchery Chowk as part of a campaign led by the PRCS chairman.

PUNJAB BRANCH: The PRCS Punjab Branch arranged weeklong activities to celebrate the RCRC day. The activities included blood donation camps and distribution of gifts among the special children at the Fountain House, Lahore. The blood camps were arranged at the Kinnaird College and Highnoon Laboratories on 3rd May

collecting more than 30 blood units. A dignified ceremony was held at the Fountain House, Lahore on 2nd May in which gifts were distributed among 100 special students.

Similarly, a cake cutting ceremony was held at the Punjab Headquarters (PHQ) in which more than 150 participants took part. The participants included students, and principals and professors from different colleges and universities. Chairman PRCS Punjab Lt. Gen (R) Khalid Maqbool was chief guest.

SINDH BRANCH: The PRCS Sindh Branch celebrated the RCRC Week from 2nd May to 6th May by distributing umbrellas and IEC (information, education and communication) material among the police personnel and public and arranging heatstroke/first aid training camps in view of intense heatwave coursing through the Sindh province.

A two-day first aid training was organized at the PHQ (provincial headquarters) training hall for the students of Lyari Medical College, Karachi.

The first aid trainers delivered lectures, enlightening the participants on the RCRC movement. A total of 50 students received first aid training.

A three-day heatwave camp was also arranged at the PHQ where a team of volunteers, paramedics and staff not only treated the people suffering from heat exhaustion and heatstroke, but also educated them on how to survive heatstroke and avoid exhaustion. Refreshments were also served to the participants.

KP BRANCH: The PRCS KP Branch celebrated the RCRC Day at the PHQ, Peshawar dedicating it to the volunteers for their selfless services to the humanity.

Mr. Patrick, Head of Sub-delegation, ICRC Peshawar, along with volunteers cut a cake to mark the birthday of Henry Dunant. In his speech, Mr. Patrick acknowledged the volunteers' services.

Umbrellas were also handed over to the Inspector General of Traffic Police for distribution among the traffic wardens and cops. Brochures and magazines detailing the human welfare initiatives of the PRCS were also distributed among the public. A balloon release ceremony was also arranged on this occasion.

CELEBRATIONS: Chairman PRCS Punjab Lieutenant General (retired) Khalid Maqbool poses for a photograph with the participants of a cake cutting ceremony organized to celebrate the RCRD Day.

BEFITTING THE OCCASION: A PRCS Balochistan branch volunteer doing a dance to celebrate the RCRC Day.

FUSION OF CELEBRATION & TRADITION: The PRCS Kurram Agency branch arranged a function to celebrate the RCRC Day.

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: Umbrellas were distributed among police personnel at Rawalpindi, Murree, Peshawar, Gilgit-Baltistan and Bajaur Agency.

GILGIT-BALTISTAN BRANCH: The PRCS Gilgit-Baltistan Branch (GB) celebrated the RCRC Week in a befitting manner. The GB Branch organized a simple ceremony where umbrellas and first aid pouches were distributed among the traffic police personnel.

PRCS GB Branch Secretary and Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ghayyur Ahmed Khan were present during the distribution ceremony.

– The Media & Comm Officers serving at National Headquarters and different provincial

branches have contributed to the story

Children of SOS Village, Muzaffarabad performing a tableau in connection with the RCRC celebrations.

journalists and CTP personnel in the training. He said law-enforcement agencies’ (LEAs) personnel and journalists had always been in the frontline of action during disasters, accidents and emergencies, and the life-saving techniques imparted to them would enable them to save the lives of people.

At the end of training session, the chairman distributed certificates among the participants.

150 UMBRELLAS DISTRIBUTED A M O N G C T P P E R S O N N E L : Meanwhile, in a simple ceremony held at the GPO, Murree 50 umbrellas were distributed among the City Traffic Police (CTP) personnel.

One hundred umbrellas were also distributed among the CTP Rawalpindi personnel in a simple ceremony held at the Kutchery Chowk, Rawalpindi. Dr Saeed Elahi handed the umbrellas over to DSP Traffic Police Iqbal Kazmi.

Awareness pamphlets carrying messages on health & care and road safety were also distributed among motorists at the Kutchery Chowk as part of a campaign led by the PRCS chairman.

PUNJAB BRANCH: The PRCS Punjab Branch arranged weeklong activities to celebrate the RCRC day. The activities included blood donation camps and distribution of gifts among the special children at the Fountain House, Lahore. The blood camps were arranged at the Kinnaird College and Highnoon Laboratories on 3rd May

collecting more than 30 blood units. A dignified ceremony was held at the Fountain House, Lahore on 2nd May in which gifts were distributed among 100 special students.

Similarly, a cake cutting ceremony was held at the Punjab Headquarters (PHQ) in which more than 150 participants took part. The participants included students, and principals and professors from different colleges and universities. Chairman PRCS Punjab Lt. Gen (R) Khalid Maqbool was chief guest.

SINDH BRANCH: The PRCS Sindh Branch celebrated the RCRC Week from 2nd May to 6th May by distributing umbrellas and IEC (information, education and communication) material among the police personnel and public and arranging heatstroke/first aid training camps in view of intense heatwave coursing through the Sindh province.

A two-day first aid training was organized at the PHQ (provincial headquarters) training hall for the students of Lyari Medical College, Karachi.

The first aid trainers delivered lectures, enlightening the participants on the RCRC movement. A total of 50 students received first aid training.

A three-day heatwave camp was also arranged at the PHQ where a team of volunteers, paramedics and staff not only treated the people suffering from heat exhaustion and heatstroke, but also educated them on how to survive heatstroke and avoid exhaustion. Refreshments were also served to the participants.

KP BRANCH: The PRCS KP Branch celebrated the RCRC Day at the PHQ, Peshawar dedicating it to the volunteers for their selfless services to the humanity.

Mr. Patrick, Head of Sub-delegation, ICRC Peshawar, along with volunteers cut a cake to mark the birthday of Henry Dunant. In his speech, Mr. Patrick acknowledged the volunteers' services.

Umbrellas were also handed over to the Inspector General of Traffic Police for distribution among the traffic wardens and cops. Brochures and magazines detailing the human welfare initiatives of the PRCS were also distributed among the public. A balloon release ceremony was also arranged on this occasion.

CELEBRATIONS: Chairman PRCS Punjab Lieutenant General (retired) Khalid Maqbool poses for a photograph with the participants of a cake cutting ceremony organized to celebrate the RCRD Day.

BEFITTING THE OCCASION: A PRCS Balochistan branch volunteer doing a dance to celebrate the RCRC Day.

FUSION OF CELEBRATION & TRADITION: The PRCS Kurram Agency branch arranged a function to celebrate the RCRC Day.

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: Umbrellas were distributed among police personnel at Rawalpindi, Murree, Peshawar, Gilgit-Baltistan and Bajaur Agency.

GILGIT-BALTISTAN BRANCH: The PRCS Gilgit-Baltistan Branch (GB) celebrated the RCRC Week in a befitting manner. The GB Branch organized a simple ceremony where umbrellas and first aid pouches were distributed among the traffic police personnel.

PRCS GB Branch Secretary and Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Ghayyur Ahmed Khan were present during the distribution ceremony.

– The Media & Comm Officers serving at National Headquarters and different provincial

branches have contributed to the story

Children of SOS Village, Muzaffarabad performing a tableau in connection with the RCRC celebrations.

CRESCENT NEWS

Ramadan is a month of generosity and charity. It affords an enormous opportunity to the Muslims all over the world to bathe and bask in the Allah Almighty's boundless favors, blessings, and pleasures

and seek His mercy and compassion by serving the needy and the hungry.It is during this month that even the poorest of the poor have all those things on their table, which

they desire for almost all the year round. This month also gives ample opportunity to the faithful to experience the pangs of hunger by keeping fast and not only feed and succor unprivileged people, but also help them stand on their own feet without hurting their self-respect.

Cashing in on this opportunity to win the Allah Almighty's blessings, the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) in collaboration with its National Societies and Telenor Pakistan distributed over 8,000 food parcels among the deserving and physically challenged people and transgender persons countrywide.

The food parcels weighing 30kg each were distributed between May 7 and May 31 under the Ramadan Package.

Of the 8,000 food parcels, the Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) contributed over 5,000 food packages, Turkish Red Crescent Society 2,000 and Telenor Pakistan 700.

The food parcels received from the KRCS were distributed among 600 families in different parts of Sindh, 450 families in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 850 in Punjab, 800 in Azad Jammu & Kashmir, 1,330 in FATA, and 1050 in Balochistan.

Ramadan Package

Ramadan�affords�an�opportunity�to�the�faithful�to�win�Allah�Almighty's�boundless�blessings,�pleasure,�and�forgiveness�by�serving�the�deserving�people.�The�unprivileged�sections�of�the�society�have�always�been�our�priority�and�we�will�spare�no�effort�to�contribute�to�their�welfare�in�future�too.�

‒�Dr.�Saeed�Elahi

Food for the deservingwith dignity

The 2,000 food parcels contributed by the Turkish Red Crescent Society were distributed in Hattian Bala, Rawalakot, Muzaffarabad, and Sudhnoti districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, while 700 food parcels of 30 kg each contributed by Telenor Pakistan were distributed among 200 families in Islamabad on Friday, May 31 and 100 families at Badshahi Masjid, Lahore, 100 each in Karachi and Peshawar, and 200 in Quetta.

Addressing the ration distribution ceremony at the Badshahi Masjid, Lahore, Chairman Dr. Saeed Elahi said the holy month of Ramadan afforded an opportunity to the faithful to win Allah Almighty's boundless blessings, pleasure, and forgiveness by serving the deserving people.

He said poor and unprivileged sections of the society had always been a priority of the PRCS and it will spare no effort to contribute to their welfare in future too. He thanked the KRCS, TRCS, and Telenor Pakistan for their generous contributions.

Two hundred food packages each were also distributed among the deserving people in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

A distribution ceremony was also organized at the PRCS National Headquarters. Kuwait embassy officials were also present on the occasion.

The KRCS delegation included Yousef Al-Merag, Director Disaster Management and head of delegation; Waleed Al-rashid, volunteer first team; Naser Al-Mutairi, volunteer first team; Yousif Al-Duaij, volunteer second team; and Abdulhameed Eisa, volunteer second team.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary General Khalid Bin Majeed read out a message of Chairman Dr Saeed Elahi paying tribute to the KRCS for its generous financial assistance for the welfare of deserving people.

He said it was a matter of immense joy and pleasure that the hearts of the people of Kuwait beat in sync with the hearts of the people of Pakistan. He expressed hope that the KRCS financial assistance for the unprivileged sections of society would also continue in future.

Khalid Bin Majeed lauded the KRCS for its generous support to the PRCS human welfare initiatives and said the action reflected its single-minded commitment to meeting the needs of the poor in a dignified way.

Yousef Al-Merag said the KRCS was proud of its ties with the PRCS, which would strengthen with the passage of time.

– The Media & Comm Officers serving at National Headquarters and different provincial branches have contributed to the story

SHARE & SHARE ALIKE: Deserving people receive food parcels during a distribution ceremony organized at the PRCS National Headquarter, Islamabad. Such ceremonies were also arranged countrywide, benefitting over 8,000 people.

Islamabad Islamabad Islamabad

Azad Kashmir

Islamabad

Murree

Kotli Sattian

Lahore

Quetta

Bajaur Agency

Peshawar

CRESCENT NEWS

Ramadan is a month of generosity and charity. It affords an enormous opportunity to the Muslims all over the world to bathe and bask in the Allah Almighty's boundless favors, blessings, and pleasures

and seek His mercy and compassion by serving the needy and the hungry.It is during this month that even the poorest of the poor have all those things on their table, which

they desire for almost all the year round. This month also gives ample opportunity to the faithful to experience the pangs of hunger by keeping fast and not only feed and succor unprivileged people, but also help them stand on their own feet without hurting their self-respect.

Cashing in on this opportunity to win the Allah Almighty's blessings, the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) in collaboration with its National Societies and Telenor Pakistan distributed over 8,000 food parcels among the deserving and physically challenged people and transgender persons countrywide.

The food parcels weighing 30kg each were distributed between May 7 and May 31 under the Ramadan Package.

Of the 8,000 food parcels, the Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) contributed over 5,000 food packages, Turkish Red Crescent Society 2,000 and Telenor Pakistan 700.

The food parcels received from the KRCS were distributed among 600 families in different parts of Sindh, 450 families in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 850 in Punjab, 800 in Azad Jammu & Kashmir, 1,330 in FATA, and 1050 in Balochistan.

Ramadan Package

Ramadan�affords�an�opportunity�to�the�faithful�to�win�Allah�Almighty's�boundless�blessings,�pleasure,�and�forgiveness�by�serving�the�deserving�people.�The�unprivileged�sections�of�the�society�have�always�been�our�priority�and�we�will�spare�no�effort�to�contribute�to�their�welfare�in�future�too.�

‒�Dr.�Saeed�Elahi

Food for the deservingwith dignity

The 2,000 food parcels contributed by the Turkish Red Crescent Society were distributed in Hattian Bala, Rawalakot, Muzaffarabad, and Sudhnoti districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, while 700 food parcels of 30 kg each contributed by Telenor Pakistan were distributed among 200 families in Islamabad on Friday, May 31 and 100 families at Badshahi Masjid, Lahore, 100 each in Karachi and Peshawar, and 200 in Quetta.

Addressing the ration distribution ceremony at the Badshahi Masjid, Lahore, Chairman Dr. Saeed Elahi said the holy month of Ramadan afforded an opportunity to the faithful to win Allah Almighty's boundless blessings, pleasure, and forgiveness by serving the deserving people.

He said poor and unprivileged sections of the society had always been a priority of the PRCS and it will spare no effort to contribute to their welfare in future too. He thanked the KRCS, TRCS, and Telenor Pakistan for their generous contributions.

Two hundred food packages each were also distributed among the deserving people in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

A distribution ceremony was also organized at the PRCS National Headquarters. Kuwait embassy officials were also present on the occasion.

The KRCS delegation included Yousef Al-Merag, Director Disaster Management and head of delegation; Waleed Al-rashid, volunteer first team; Naser Al-Mutairi, volunteer first team; Yousif Al-Duaij, volunteer second team; and Abdulhameed Eisa, volunteer second team.

Speaking on the occasion, Secretary General Khalid Bin Majeed read out a message of Chairman Dr Saeed Elahi paying tribute to the KRCS for its generous financial assistance for the welfare of deserving people.

He said it was a matter of immense joy and pleasure that the hearts of the people of Kuwait beat in sync with the hearts of the people of Pakistan. He expressed hope that the KRCS financial assistance for the unprivileged sections of society would also continue in future.

Khalid Bin Majeed lauded the KRCS for its generous support to the PRCS human welfare initiatives and said the action reflected its single-minded commitment to meeting the needs of the poor in a dignified way.

Yousef Al-Merag said the KRCS was proud of its ties with the PRCS, which would strengthen with the passage of time.

– The Media & Comm Officers serving at National Headquarters and different provincial branches have contributed to the story

SHARE & SHARE ALIKE: Deserving people receive food parcels during a distribution ceremony organized at the PRCS National Headquarter, Islamabad. Such ceremonies were also arranged countrywide, benefitting over 8,000 people.

Islamabad Islamabad Islamabad

Azad Kashmir

Islamabad

Murree

Kotli Sattian

Lahore

Quetta

Bajaur Agency

Peshawar

KHALID BIN MAJEED

atural or manmade disasters are sudden extreme events causing serious disruption to the functioning of a community or a society.

Though they have been stalking humankind since time immemorial, the dramatic increase and damage caused by them in the recent past has become a cause of prime national and international concern.

Over the past decade, the number of natural and manmade disasters globally has increased inexorably. From 1994 to 1998, reported disasters averaged at about 420 per year but from 1999 to 2003, this figure went up to an average of over 700 disaster events per year showing an

increase of about 60 per cent over the previous years.

Disasters appear in shape of earthquakes due to sudden movement of tectonic plates, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, floods from abnormal weather patterns, continued dry conditions leading to prolonged droughts, atmospheric disturbances, cyclones, fires, internal military conflicts, and wars.

Their impact appears in shape of massive killing of human populations, loss of agricultural lands, livelihood and shelter, poverty, hunger, disease outbreak, internal displacements & migrations and associated crimes like gang wars, abductions, kidnaping, rapes, thefts, and murders.

In such disturbing scenarios, the widespread negative impact often exceeds the affected countries' ability to cope with the humanitarian response. Often, as seen during the Kashmir earthquake or the massive Indus floods, or most recently during the devastating cyclone that left millions homeless in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi, these massive disasters throw up gigantic challenges to both national authorities and the international humanitarian community when they come to the rescue of millions affected by these disasters.

As a result, humanitarian organizations like the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies [IFRC] and its 191 National Societies line up to provide assistance to tens of millions every year mobilizing billions of dollars into the disaster-hit countries through direct humanitarian action, through national civil society actors or by supporting specialized government agencies.

A major part of this international assistance comes in the form of trained manpower, state-of-the-art equipment, health specialists, doctors, paramedics, trained volunteers and military personnel for assistance in relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

The United Nations, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and many International NGOs launch appeals for donations in aid of the disaster-hit countries, to which the public and governments usually respond. But while massive disasters attract funding, hundreds of smaller or medium sized ones often go unsupported leaving millions of people destitute and without aid.

When we talk of disaster-hit countries and assistance by the international community and humanitarian organizations, we cannot neglect Pakistan, which like other South Asian countries continues to suffer from a plethora of natural and human-induced hazards threatening the lives and livelihoods of its citizens.

Pakistan is not only highly vulnerable to natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, landslides, heath emergencies and droughts, but also to man-made disasters such as fires, large scale industrial accidents, civil unrest, conflict and terrorism, creating massive refugees and internally displaced people.

According to official data, 117,038 people were killed and 2,869,142 affected during the five earthquakes, which struck between May 31, 1935 and October 8, 2005. The country witnessed 11 floods during the period between 1950 and 2010 leading to the death of thousands of people and affecting millions.

The country is also vulnerable to tsunami and other sea-based hazards along its long coastline. In 1935, an earthquake of 8.5 on the Richter scale triggered a tsunami along the Balochistan coastline, killing nearly 4,000 along the fishing town of Pasni. Karachi and Gwadar were also threatened. The Indian peninsula, luckily, shielded Pakistan's coastline from the disastrous impact of 2004 tsunami.

The country's 960km costal belt, particularly along Sindh, is occasionally battered by cyclones. In 1999, a cyclone ravaged large tracts in coastal districts of Thatta and Badin causing widespread loss to life and property. These coastal areas are also inundated by torrential rains, as in 2003 with a similar impact.

The cyclone of 1999 in Thatta and Badin districts wiped out 73 settlements, killing 168 people and 11,000 cattle, affecting around 0.6 million people and destroying 1,800 small and big boats and partially damaging 642 boats, causing a loss of Rs380 million.

Given the frequent incidence of quakes, floods and other hazards, the Pakistan Red Crescent Society – the major humanitarian relief agency in Pakistan – together with the NDMA, the IFRC and its National Societies wasted no time in responding with provision of emergency relief to the affected population.

In spite of the fact that the international humanitarian relief agencies leave no stone unturned to provide food and non-food items and shelter to the affected communities, thousands of deserving people may not be reached due to a number of factors, leaving them marooned and exposed to elements and threats of various nature.

According to the 2018 World Disasters Report released by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), millions of people needing humanitarian assistance are being “left behind” in their moments of greatest need. Even those who are prioritized to receive assistance do not always get the help they need.

The report lists five factors that explain why the international humanitarian sector is leaving millions of people behind.

The first and most obvious explanation is money. The gap between the funds needed by aid groups and the funds made available to them is growing every year.

In 2017, only about 60 per cent of $23.5 billion appealed for by the UN-led humanitarian actors was received. However, money is only part of the issue. In fact, even if humanitarian budgets were fully funded, millions of people would still be left behind.

The second factor is access. In many crises, humanitarians physically cannot reach everyone in need. This could be for geographical or political reasons, because of conflict and insecurity, or even because of bureaucratic and legal bottlenecks.

The third factor relates to information. In many settings, aid groups cannot reach people because they do not know they exist. For example, poor or non-existent mapping, particularly in remote areas and fast-growing urban slums, can render entire communities invisible.

The fourth factor is more about how humanitarian organizations work. Often, aid groups unintentionally exclude groups of people because they lack the language skills and detailed understanding of the society to know what is going on. Other times, the assistance cannot be accessed by people with different types of disabilities, or by people from marginalized groups.

The final factor outlined in the report relates to the people considered outside of the scope of humanitarian work. These people are not affected by conflicts, disasters, or health emergencies, but they live in crises and do not receive help from anyone.

So what is the answer? There is no silver bullet, and the report includes a number of recommendations ranging from improving how data is collected to encouraging governments to prioritize and incentivize support to the people considered to be “hardest to reach”. However, I would like to focus on one recommendation above all – the need to invest more time, more resources, and more trust in the local humanitarian organizations.

Local humanitarian groups, including the Pakistan Red Crescent Society, are uniquely placed to overcome the limitations outlined in the report. Their permanent presence means they can respond much quicker than their international counterparts [respond] and need less money to do so.

They are also already present in many areas that international groups find inaccessible. They know who the most vulnerable people are, and how to reach them. They are present before, during, and after the crises. They are our best hope for ensuring that those most in need of help are no longer left behind. It is time we all made real the pledge of making the last mile the first mile.

– The writer is Secretary General Pakistan Red Crescent Society, National Headquarters

Leaving no one behind through local humanitarian actions

N

KHALID BIN MAJEED

atural or manmade disasters are sudden extreme events causing serious disruption to the functioning of a community or a society.

Though they have been stalking humankind since time immemorial, the dramatic increase and damage caused by them in the recent past has become a cause of prime national and international concern.

Over the past decade, the number of natural and manmade disasters globally has increased inexorably. From 1994 to 1998, reported disasters averaged at about 420 per year but from 1999 to 2003, this figure went up to an average of over 700 disaster events per year showing an

increase of about 60 per cent over the previous years.

Disasters appear in shape of earthquakes due to sudden movement of tectonic plates, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, floods from abnormal weather patterns, continued dry conditions leading to prolonged droughts, atmospheric disturbances, cyclones, fires, internal military conflicts, and wars.

Their impact appears in shape of massive killing of human populations, loss of agricultural lands, livelihood and shelter, poverty, hunger, disease outbreak, internal displacements & migrations and associated crimes like gang wars, abductions, kidnaping, rapes, thefts, and murders.

In such disturbing scenarios, the widespread negative impact often exceeds the affected countries' ability to cope with the humanitarian response. Often, as seen during the Kashmir earthquake or the massive Indus floods, or most recently during the devastating cyclone that left millions homeless in Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi, these massive disasters throw up gigantic challenges to both national authorities and the international humanitarian community when they come to the rescue of millions affected by these disasters.

As a result, humanitarian organizations like the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies [IFRC] and its 191 National Societies line up to provide assistance to tens of millions every year mobilizing billions of dollars into the disaster-hit countries through direct humanitarian action, through national civil society actors or by supporting specialized government agencies.

A major part of this international assistance comes in the form of trained manpower, state-of-the-art equipment, health specialists, doctors, paramedics, trained volunteers and military personnel for assistance in relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

The United Nations, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and many International NGOs launch appeals for donations in aid of the disaster-hit countries, to which the public and governments usually respond. But while massive disasters attract funding, hundreds of smaller or medium sized ones often go unsupported leaving millions of people destitute and without aid.

When we talk of disaster-hit countries and assistance by the international community and humanitarian organizations, we cannot neglect Pakistan, which like other South Asian countries continues to suffer from a plethora of natural and human-induced hazards threatening the lives and livelihoods of its citizens.

Pakistan is not only highly vulnerable to natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, landslides, heath emergencies and droughts, but also to man-made disasters such as fires, large scale industrial accidents, civil unrest, conflict and terrorism, creating massive refugees and internally displaced people.

According to official data, 117,038 people were killed and 2,869,142 affected during the five earthquakes, which struck between May 31, 1935 and October 8, 2005. The country witnessed 11 floods during the period between 1950 and 2010 leading to the death of thousands of people and affecting millions.

The country is also vulnerable to tsunami and other sea-based hazards along its long coastline. In 1935, an earthquake of 8.5 on the Richter scale triggered a tsunami along the Balochistan coastline, killing nearly 4,000 along the fishing town of Pasni. Karachi and Gwadar were also threatened. The Indian peninsula, luckily, shielded Pakistan's coastline from the disastrous impact of 2004 tsunami.

The country's 960km costal belt, particularly along Sindh, is occasionally battered by cyclones. In 1999, a cyclone ravaged large tracts in coastal districts of Thatta and Badin causing widespread loss to life and property. These coastal areas are also inundated by torrential rains, as in 2003 with a similar impact.

The cyclone of 1999 in Thatta and Badin districts wiped out 73 settlements, killing 168 people and 11,000 cattle, affecting around 0.6 million people and destroying 1,800 small and big boats and partially damaging 642 boats, causing a loss of Rs380 million.

Given the frequent incidence of quakes, floods and other hazards, the Pakistan Red Crescent Society – the major humanitarian relief agency in Pakistan – together with the NDMA, the IFRC and its National Societies wasted no time in responding with provision of emergency relief to the affected population.

In spite of the fact that the international humanitarian relief agencies leave no stone unturned to provide food and non-food items and shelter to the affected communities, thousands of deserving people may not be reached due to a number of factors, leaving them marooned and exposed to elements and threats of various nature.

According to the 2018 World Disasters Report released by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), millions of people needing humanitarian assistance are being “left behind” in their moments of greatest need. Even those who are prioritized to receive assistance do not always get the help they need.

The report lists five factors that explain why the international humanitarian sector is leaving millions of people behind.

The first and most obvious explanation is money. The gap between the funds needed by aid groups and the funds made available to them is growing every year.

In 2017, only about 60 per cent of $23.5 billion appealed for by the UN-led humanitarian actors was received. However, money is only part of the issue. In fact, even if humanitarian budgets were fully funded, millions of people would still be left behind.

The second factor is access. In many crises, humanitarians physically cannot reach everyone in need. This could be for geographical or political reasons, because of conflict and insecurity, or even because of bureaucratic and legal bottlenecks.

The third factor relates to information. In many settings, aid groups cannot reach people because they do not know they exist. For example, poor or non-existent mapping, particularly in remote areas and fast-growing urban slums, can render entire communities invisible.

The fourth factor is more about how humanitarian organizations work. Often, aid groups unintentionally exclude groups of people because they lack the language skills and detailed understanding of the society to know what is going on. Other times, the assistance cannot be accessed by people with different types of disabilities, or by people from marginalized groups.

The final factor outlined in the report relates to the people considered outside of the scope of humanitarian work. These people are not affected by conflicts, disasters, or health emergencies, but they live in crises and do not receive help from anyone.

So what is the answer? There is no silver bullet, and the report includes a number of recommendations ranging from improving how data is collected to encouraging governments to prioritize and incentivize support to the people considered to be “hardest to reach”. However, I would like to focus on one recommendation above all – the need to invest more time, more resources, and more trust in the local humanitarian organizations.

Local humanitarian groups, including the Pakistan Red Crescent Society, are uniquely placed to overcome the limitations outlined in the report. Their permanent presence means they can respond much quicker than their international counterparts [respond] and need less money to do so.

They are also already present in many areas that international groups find inaccessible. They know who the most vulnerable people are, and how to reach them. They are present before, during, and after the crises. They are our best hope for ensuring that those most in need of help are no longer left behind. It is time we all made real the pledge of making the last mile the first mile.

– The writer is Secretary General Pakistan Red Crescent Society, National Headquarters

Leaving no one behind through local humanitarian actions

N

ATIF ALI

Mehar Bano, spouse of Ramzan Ali, 45, belongs to a poor family of Union Council Hopper, Nagar. She was the sole breadwinner of her family of eight [six daughters

and two sons] after her husband died of cardiac arrest.Mehar husband's death exposed the family to scores of

problems, forcing her to step out of her home and work in the fields to feed her family. However, the daily earning was not enough to meet the educational, health and other basic needs of

the family. The biggest chink in her armor was that she was uneducated and unskilled due to which she could not get a good job to make [both] ends meet.

Seeing his mother working out in the fields from dawn to dusk, her younger son too started laboring to share her burden. The relief however proved short-lived, as the child died during the labor work. In spite of all the toil and sweating, her total income was Rs6,000 a month against the monthly expenditure of Rs15,000 [a month], leaving the family cash-strapped.

Life was getting tough for Mehar Bano with each passing day.

The�following�two�accounts�offer�a�glimpse�of�how�the�PRCS�together�with�the�Danish�Red�Cross�helped�two�impoverished,�insolvent�families�to�get�out�of�the�vortex�of�poverty,�hunger�and�insolvency�by�starting�their�own�businesses�from�scratch�and�shaping�them�up�into�going�concerns.�These�two�courageous,�never�say�die�female�breadwinners�serve�as�trailblazer�for�those�trapped�in�poverty.

While working out in the fields, her mind would never rest thinking about finding some steady and meaningful work bringing her more money to meet all the needs of her growing children.

Divine Providence that never takes its eyes off its subjects seemed to be coming to her help, as the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) stepped in Union Council Hopper and launched “Preparedness and Resilience Project” with the generous funding of the Danish Red Cross (DRC).

One of the main components of the project was livelihood support for women and underprivileged segment of the society. Layer management and provision of birds to trained women was part of the segment. The PRCS field staff identified the deserving women and selected Mehar Bano among many others.

After successful completion of training, Mehar Bano was provided with 23 layer birds. She worked hard and increased the flock, bringing her enough money to support her family.

Sharing her experiences with the writer, Bano said before availing herself of layer management training, she would get up with the lark and go to the fields where she would work until dusk.

“In spite of all toil and moil I would earn Rs6,000 a month that was insufficient to help me meet all the family needs. When I heard about the layer management training, I attended it for the learning purpose. However, during training, I came to know about its another dimension – how to start a business.

“My learning about layer management and entrepreneurship at the Pakistan Red Crescent Society field office gave me strength, courage, and trust in my abilities. I am hugely indebted to the PRCS and Danish Red Cross for all the support,” said Bano with a ghost of smile bedecking her face.

ABIRA KHATOON,N 25, is a resident of Hakalshall village in the Hopper Valley of the scenic Nagar Valley of Gilgit

Baltistan (GB). She is the eldest of four sisters living with their parents in a small house with an uncultivated piece of land.

The family's sole breadwinner was their father, who became

disabled in an accident and lost his job putting the family out on a limb. The family's financial position became worse with the passage of time, as there was no other source of income to meet their daily expenses.

Seeing the family in a tight spot, she started teaching at a private school to make [both] ends meet. However, another rude shock was in store for the family, as the employer terminated her services after some time leaving the family high and dry once again. Nabira, however, did not lose hope and kept struggling.

One day, she visited the PRCS field office for finding a suitable job. She met Ms. Gul Suma, Field Officer PRCS Nagar Project. Ms. Suma discussed with her the livelihood component of “Preparedness and Resilience project” for Hopper Nagar and advised her to start a small business.

Nabira's problem was that she had no money and no prior experience to start a small-scale business. Keeping in view the family's precarious situation, the PRCS selected her for the livelihood project and trained her in business management.

After training, the PRCS helped her set up a small shop specific to women. The shop was a successful concern, bringing her a good amount of money to meet the family's daily needs.

Running the shop on her own encouraged Nabira to expand her business. After earning enough money, she set up a canteen next to the shop, bringing her more clientele and more income.

Nabira now generates around Rs10,000 from both the concerns. She is the family's pride and the apple of their eye and hopes the future holds good things in store for her brothers and sisters. “I am hugely indebted to the PRCS and Danish Red Cross for their support enabling me to set up a small business for me.

Before the project intervention, no female could imagine to run a business in the market. It's very bold step taken by both the societies towards women empowerment in our area,” says Nabira.

– The writer is Program Manager Danish Red Cross Pakistan

SUCCESS�STORIES:�How�two�women�broke�poverty�trap

SEEK & YOU SHALL FIND: Mehar Bano feeds her flock in the small aviary, which helped her close the chapter of her financial woes and worries for good.

MANY A LITTLE MAKES A MICKLE: In a break with the tradition, Nabira Khatoon plies her trade smoothing the family's march towards financial independence.

ATIF ALI

Mehar Bano, spouse of Ramzan Ali, 45, belongs to a poor family of Union Council Hopper, Nagar. She was the sole breadwinner of her family of eight [six daughters

and two sons] after her husband died of cardiac arrest.Mehar husband's death exposed the family to scores of

problems, forcing her to step out of her home and work in the fields to feed her family. However, the daily earning was not enough to meet the educational, health and other basic needs of

the family. The biggest chink in her armor was that she was uneducated and unskilled due to which she could not get a good job to make [both] ends meet.

Seeing his mother working out in the fields from dawn to dusk, her younger son too started laboring to share her burden. The relief however proved short-lived, as the child died during the labor work. In spite of all the toil and sweating, her total income was Rs6,000 a month against the monthly expenditure of Rs15,000 [a month], leaving the family cash-strapped.

Life was getting tough for Mehar Bano with each passing day.

The�following�two�accounts�offer�a�glimpse�of�how�the�PRCS�together�with�the�Danish�Red�Cross�helped�two�impoverished,�insolvent�families�to�get�out�of�the�vortex�of�poverty,�hunger�and�insolvency�by�starting�their�own�businesses�from�scratch�and�shaping�them�up�into�going�concerns.�These�two�courageous,�never�say�die�female�breadwinners�serve�as�trailblazer�for�those�trapped�in�poverty.

While working out in the fields, her mind would never rest thinking about finding some steady and meaningful work bringing her more money to meet all the needs of her growing children.

Divine Providence that never takes its eyes off its subjects seemed to be coming to her help, as the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) stepped in Union Council Hopper and launched “Preparedness and Resilience Project” with the generous funding of the Danish Red Cross (DRC).

One of the main components of the project was livelihood support for women and underprivileged segment of the society. Layer management and provision of birds to trained women was part of the segment. The PRCS field staff identified the deserving women and selected Mehar Bano among many others.

After successful completion of training, Mehar Bano was provided with 23 layer birds. She worked hard and increased the flock, bringing her enough money to support her family.

Sharing her experiences with the writer, Bano said before availing herself of layer management training, she would get up with the lark and go to the fields where she would work until dusk.

“In spite of all toil and moil I would earn Rs6,000 a month that was insufficient to help me meet all the family needs. When I heard about the layer management training, I attended it for the learning purpose. However, during training, I came to know about its another dimension – how to start a business.

“My learning about layer management and entrepreneurship at the Pakistan Red Crescent Society field office gave me strength, courage, and trust in my abilities. I am hugely indebted to the PRCS and Danish Red Cross for all the support,” said Bano with a ghost of smile bedecking her face.

ABIRA KHATOON,N 25, is a resident of Hakalshall village in the Hopper Valley of the scenic Nagar Valley of Gilgit

Baltistan (GB). She is the eldest of four sisters living with their parents in a small house with an uncultivated piece of land.

The family's sole breadwinner was their father, who became

disabled in an accident and lost his job putting the family out on a limb. The family's financial position became worse with the passage of time, as there was no other source of income to meet their daily expenses.

Seeing the family in a tight spot, she started teaching at a private school to make [both] ends meet. However, another rude shock was in store for the family, as the employer terminated her services after some time leaving the family high and dry once again. Nabira, however, did not lose hope and kept struggling.

One day, she visited the PRCS field office for finding a suitable job. She met Ms. Gul Suma, Field Officer PRCS Nagar Project. Ms. Suma discussed with her the livelihood component of “Preparedness and Resilience project” for Hopper Nagar and advised her to start a small business.

Nabira's problem was that she had no money and no prior experience to start a small-scale business. Keeping in view the family's precarious situation, the PRCS selected her for the livelihood project and trained her in business management.

After training, the PRCS helped her set up a small shop specific to women. The shop was a successful concern, bringing her a good amount of money to meet the family's daily needs.

Running the shop on her own encouraged Nabira to expand her business. After earning enough money, she set up a canteen next to the shop, bringing her more clientele and more income.

Nabira now generates around Rs10,000 from both the concerns. She is the family's pride and the apple of their eye and hopes the future holds good things in store for her brothers and sisters. “I am hugely indebted to the PRCS and Danish Red Cross for their support enabling me to set up a small business for me.

Before the project intervention, no female could imagine to run a business in the market. It's very bold step taken by both the societies towards women empowerment in our area,” says Nabira.

– The writer is Program Manager Danish Red Cross Pakistan

SUCCESS�STORIES:�How�two�women�broke�poverty�trap

SEEK & YOU SHALL FIND: Mehar Bano feeds her flock in the small aviary, which helped her close the chapter of her financial woes and worries for good.

MANY A LITTLE MAKES A MICKLE: In a break with the tradition, Nabira Khatoon plies her trade smoothing the family's march towards financial independence.

CRESCENT NEWS

Landmines are potential explosive devices designed to destroy or disable military targets and kill or injure people. They come in two varieties – anti-vehicle and anti-personnel.

The anti-personnel landmines are victim-activated explosive devices, which lie in wait for their unwary victims for years and explode when someone steps on them or touches the tripwire.

Anti-personnel mines, which come in different shapes, sizes and colors, pose more threat to the children, as they go off even

International�Mines�Awareness�Day

Outsmarting 'never failing'soldiers through awarenessn� Said�Ayaz�Wazir,�President�Bara�Tajir�Union,�

says�physical�disability�caused�by�landmines�affects�youths�psychologically

n� Tribal�elder�Malik�Mohammad�Amin�calls�for�collective� efforts� to� educate� people� on�identification� of� people� and� assist� the�affected�persons

n� Dr� Jahangir,�MS�Dogra�Hospital,�Bara,� says�govt� and� organizations� concerned� should�focus� on� rehabilitation� and� treatment� of�those�who�have�lost�their�limbs

n� PRCS� Provincial� Project� Coordinator� Amjad�Yousaf�says�community-based�risk�education�and�victims'�assistance�projects�educate�local�communities�on�protection�from�landmines�through�the�local�focal�persons

under the gentle pressure of a child's hand or foot. Their curious nature makes them vulnerable.

In view of huge death toll and the resultant suffering caused by the anti-personnel landmines in the past decades, they were banned under the Convention on Prohibition of Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction (or Mine Ban Convention), adopted in 1997.

Over 150 countries joined this historic treaty and its positive impact was seen in shape of a marked reduction in deaths, increased number of mine-free countries, and destruction of stockpiles by the treaty members and improved assistance to victims.

Owing to the concerted efforts of international community, over 40 million stockpiled mines have been destroyed worldwide. However, over 10 million [stockpiled] mines still await destruction.

These dormant anti-personnel mines still lie buried in various countries. They not only kill people, often civilians, but also restrict the movement of people and humanitarian aid, discourage farming families to cultivate their lands, and deny citizens access to water, food, care and trade.

Pakistan is one such country where landmines in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) areas close to the border and the once militancy-affected tribal areas pose a serious threat to the life of internally displaced families (IDPs) and their livelihood after returning to their hometowns. Hundreds of people have been killed, injured, or maimed so far.

Sincere efforts are on at the government and military level to locate and destroy/disable these anti-personnel mines. In addition, awareness campaigns and walks are also arranged off and on to sensitize civilians to the threat posed to their life by these perfect, courageous soldiers who never sleep and never miss their target.

The Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) – the leading humanitarian organization in Pakistan – is also part of these efforts and keeps organizing seminars and workshops to sensitize the civilian populations to the threat posed by mines.

In this regard, the PRCS and Bara Press Club organized seminars in Bara (Khyber District) and Khar (Bajaur District) areas to educate the internally displace families (IDPs). The seminars were organized in connection with the International Mines Awareness Day that is observed on April 4.

The landmines p lanted by militants or the security personnel for their safety pose a threat to the lives of residents of Gandaw, Dawra and Landi Kallay in Sipah and Sheen Kamar area near Mastak.

The speakers said a number of blasts in Bara had caused casualties during the last five years, as majority of IDPs had returned to the area.

Said Ayaz Wazir, President Bara Tajir Union, said physical disability caused by landmines was also affecting the local youth psychologically. Malik Mohammad Amin, a local elder, called for collective efforts to educate the people on identification of these hidden explosives and assist the affected persons.

“Local philanthropists should provide monetary assistance to poor people who have lost their organs in landmine explosions,” he suggested.

Dr Jahangir, MS Dogra Hospital, Bara, suggested that the government and relevant organisations should focus on rehabilitation and treatment of those who had lost their limbs in landmine blasts.

Provincial Project Coordinator of PRCS Amjad Yousaf said they had started community-based r isk education and victims' assistance in 2015 for educating the locals on protection from landmines through the local focal persons.

During a seminar in Khar, the participants emphasized the need

CRESCENT NEWS

The PRCS Mohmand Agency Branch has been conducting Mine Risk Education (MRE) sessions in the area for a long time, educating the locals about landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO).

It is due to these awareness sessions that the once unaware, uninformed people are now well-informed about these potentially fatal objects and no longer dice with death for short-term benefits [by scouting for scrap and selling the dud, dormant UXO to the scrapyard owners, mistaking them for harmless pieces of scrap].

In the fo l lowing account , Mr . Aurangzeb, shares with us how the MRE sessions helped him become a savior and a useful hand for the PRCS.

Aurangzeb, 16, is a resident of Aqrab Dag area in Pandiali Tehsil of Mohmand Agency. After attending a Community Based Risk Education (CBRE) session in his village conducted by an MRE team of Pakistan Red Crescent Society, he devoted himself to sensitizing the area people to the risks of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) and landmines.

On January 2, 2018 while moving around in his hometown, Aurangzeb chanced upon an object lying in a trench near a cultivated piece of land. He immediately recognized it as a harmful device.

“On seeing the object, I was a bit confused about what to do now. I warned the locals against visiting the place or touching the object. After having done

this, I decided to inform the PRCS Mohmand Branch about the suspicious object. I visited the PRCS Mohmand Branch office at 11:30 am and shared the story with the MRE team.

Mr. Aurangzeb guided the CBRE team to the area where the object was lying. The CBRE team confirmed the object as a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG).

The team asked the community elders to inform the local law-enforcement agency concerned about the RPG. The community elders and CBRE team visited the office of local military commander Lt Col Tabassum Shehzad and Major Farooq and shared the information with them.

Col Tabassum called in the BDS (Bomb Disposal Squad) team from Michni Headquarters and went to defuse the RPG. After reaching the location, the BDS team swept the contaminated location. The commander himself examined the device’s position and developed a defusing plan.

After taking precautionary measures, the BDS team defused the RPG within half an hour.

A MILESTONE: Earlier, the locals were afraid to contact the authorities, but after attending the MRE awareness sessions and coordination with the CBRE team and the Pakistan Army, they do not feel hesitant about informing the authorities about the UXO and landmines.

The Pakistan Army has also sensitized the locals to the UXO and landmines through posters and leaflets. It is also significant to mention that Lt. Col Tabassum Shehzad awarded a cash prize to Mr. Aurangzeb.

The�story�of�a�savior

for joint efforts to educate the community in the threat posed by mines in Bajaur district.

The PRCS local chapter arranged the function. Tribal elders, political, social activists and persons with disabilities attended the function. PRCS local secretary

Tariq Zaman said risk education was a significant part of the PRCS program under which sessions had been conducted for schoolchildren and communities to develop a framework for implementation of community-based approach to reduce risks posed by mines.

AWARENESS IS HALF THE BATTLE: Lt. Col. Maqsood Anjum briefs the students of Army Public School, Sadda about the threats posed by the Unexploded Ordnance.

CRESCENT NEWS

Landmines are potential explosive devices designed to destroy or disable military targets and kill or injure people. They come in two varieties – anti-vehicle and anti-personnel.

The anti-personnel landmines are victim-activated explosive devices, which lie in wait for their unwary victims for years and explode when someone steps on them or touches the tripwire.

Anti-personnel mines, which come in different shapes, sizes and colors, pose more threat to the children, as they go off even

International�Mines�Awareness�Day

Outsmarting 'never failing'soldiers through awarenessn� Said�Ayaz�Wazir,�President�Bara�Tajir�Union,�

says�physical�disability�caused�by�landmines�affects�youths�psychologically

n� Tribal�elder�Malik�Mohammad�Amin�calls�for�collective� efforts� to� educate� people� on�identification� of� people� and� assist� the�affected�persons

n� Dr� Jahangir,�MS�Dogra�Hospital,�Bara,� says�govt� and� organizations� concerned� should�focus� on� rehabilitation� and� treatment� of�those�who�have�lost�their�limbs

n� PRCS� Provincial� Project� Coordinator� Amjad�Yousaf�says�community-based�risk�education�and�victims'�assistance�projects�educate�local�communities�on�protection�from�landmines�through�the�local�focal�persons

under the gentle pressure of a child's hand or foot. Their curious nature makes them vulnerable.

In view of huge death toll and the resultant suffering caused by the anti-personnel landmines in the past decades, they were banned under the Convention on Prohibition of Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction (or Mine Ban Convention), adopted in 1997.

Over 150 countries joined this historic treaty and its positive impact was seen in shape of a marked reduction in deaths, increased number of mine-free countries, and destruction of stockpiles by the treaty members and improved assistance to victims.

Owing to the concerted efforts of international community, over 40 million stockpiled mines have been destroyed worldwide. However, over 10 million [stockpiled] mines still await destruction.

These dormant anti-personnel mines still lie buried in various countries. They not only kill people, often civilians, but also restrict the movement of people and humanitarian aid, discourage farming families to cultivate their lands, and deny citizens access to water, food, care and trade.

Pakistan is one such country where landmines in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) areas close to the border and the once militancy-affected tribal areas pose a serious threat to the life of internally displaced families (IDPs) and their livelihood after returning to their hometowns. Hundreds of people have been killed, injured, or maimed so far.

Sincere efforts are on at the government and military level to locate and destroy/disable these anti-personnel mines. In addition, awareness campaigns and walks are also arranged off and on to sensitize civilians to the threat posed to their life by these perfect, courageous soldiers who never sleep and never miss their target.

The Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) – the leading humanitarian organization in Pakistan – is also part of these efforts and keeps organizing seminars and workshops to sensitize the civilian populations to the threat posed by mines.

In this regard, the PRCS and Bara Press Club organized seminars in Bara (Khyber District) and Khar (Bajaur District) areas to educate the internally displace families (IDPs). The seminars were organized in connection with the International Mines Awareness Day that is observed on April 4.

The landmines p lanted by militants or the security personnel for their safety pose a threat to the lives of residents of Gandaw, Dawra and Landi Kallay in Sipah and Sheen Kamar area near Mastak.

The speakers said a number of blasts in Bara had caused casualties during the last five years, as majority of IDPs had returned to the area.

Said Ayaz Wazir, President Bara Tajir Union, said physical disability caused by landmines was also affecting the local youth psychologically. Malik Mohammad Amin, a local elder, called for collective efforts to educate the people on identification of these hidden explosives and assist the affected persons.

“Local philanthropists should provide monetary assistance to poor people who have lost their organs in landmine explosions,” he suggested.

Dr Jahangir, MS Dogra Hospital, Bara, suggested that the government and relevant organisations should focus on rehabilitation and treatment of those who had lost their limbs in landmine blasts.

Provincial Project Coordinator of PRCS Amjad Yousaf said they had started community-based r isk education and victims' assistance in 2015 for educating the locals on protection from landmines through the local focal persons.

During a seminar in Khar, the participants emphasized the need

CRESCENT NEWS

The PRCS Mohmand Agency Branch has been conducting Mine Risk Education (MRE) sessions in the area for a long time, educating the locals about landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO).

It is due to these awareness sessions that the once unaware, uninformed people are now well-informed about these potentially fatal objects and no longer dice with death for short-term benefits [by scouting for scrap and selling the dud, dormant UXO to the scrapyard owners, mistaking them for harmless pieces of scrap].

In the fo l lowing account , Mr . Aurangzeb, shares with us how the MRE sessions helped him become a savior and a useful hand for the PRCS.

Aurangzeb, 16, is a resident of Aqrab Dag area in Pandiali Tehsil of Mohmand Agency. After attending a Community Based Risk Education (CBRE) session in his village conducted by an MRE team of Pakistan Red Crescent Society, he devoted himself to sensitizing the area people to the risks of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) and landmines.

On January 2, 2018 while moving around in his hometown, Aurangzeb chanced upon an object lying in a trench near a cultivated piece of land. He immediately recognized it as a harmful device.

“On seeing the object, I was a bit confused about what to do now. I warned the locals against visiting the place or touching the object. After having done

this, I decided to inform the PRCS Mohmand Branch about the suspicious object. I visited the PRCS Mohmand Branch office at 11:30 am and shared the story with the MRE team.

Mr. Aurangzeb guided the CBRE team to the area where the object was lying. The CBRE team confirmed the object as a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG).

The team asked the community elders to inform the local law-enforcement agency concerned about the RPG. The community elders and CBRE team visited the office of local military commander Lt Col Tabassum Shehzad and Major Farooq and shared the information with them.

Col Tabassum called in the BDS (Bomb Disposal Squad) team from Michni Headquarters and went to defuse the RPG. After reaching the location, the BDS team swept the contaminated location. The commander himself examined the device’s position and developed a defusing plan.

After taking precautionary measures, the BDS team defused the RPG within half an hour.

A MILESTONE: Earlier, the locals were afraid to contact the authorities, but after attending the MRE awareness sessions and coordination with the CBRE team and the Pakistan Army, they do not feel hesitant about informing the authorities about the UXO and landmines.

The Pakistan Army has also sensitized the locals to the UXO and landmines through posters and leaflets. It is also significant to mention that Lt. Col Tabassum Shehzad awarded a cash prize to Mr. Aurangzeb.

The�story�of�a�savior

for joint efforts to educate the community in the threat posed by mines in Bajaur district.

The PRCS local chapter arranged the function. Tribal elders, political, social activists and persons with disabilities attended the function. PRCS local secretary

Tariq Zaman said risk education was a significant part of the PRCS program under which sessions had been conducted for schoolchildren and communities to develop a framework for implementation of community-based approach to reduce risks posed by mines.

AWARENESS IS HALF THE BATTLE: Lt. Col. Maqsood Anjum briefs the students of Army Public School, Sadda about the threats posed by the Unexploded Ordnance.

The Turkish Red Crescent Society (TRCS) gifted 300 first aid boxes to the PRCS on Tuesday, May 21. The boxes would be distributed among 150 federal capital schools and seven provincial headquarters. A two-member TRCS team, comprising President TRCS Supervisory Board Ismet Durmus and Board Member Ramazan Saygili, called on the PRCS Secretary General Khalid Bin Majeed and signed the handover documents. TRCS Head of Delegation in Pakistan Ibrahim Carlos and Mr. Abdullah were also present.

An Iftar dinner cum ambulances handover ceremony was held at the PRCS National Headquarters (NHQ), Islamabad. Special Assistant to the PM on Information Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan was chief guest, while Japanese Ambassador Kuninori Matsuda was the guest of honour. Chairman PRCS Dr Saeed Elahi, members PRCS Managing Board and Secretary General Khalid Bin Majeed received the guests. Dr Firdous said Japan always stood by Pakistan and its cooperation with regard to humanitarian assistance deserved special appreciation. She also thanked the Japanese govt for gifting state-of-the-art ambulances to the PRCS. Dr. Saeed Elahi thanked the Government of Japan for donating ambulances and said a proposal had also been forwarded to the Japanese govt for provision of four more ambulances. Mr. Matsuda appreciated the humanitarian services of the PRCS and assured that the Government of Japan would continue to cooperate with it.

The PRCS Merged Areas Branch organized a two-day [March 27-28] first aid training course for tribal areas' journalists. The purpose of the course was to impart basic life-saving skills and techniques to journalists enabling them not only to treat themselves, but also others during manmade or natural disasters or other emergencies. About 22 journalists hailing from North Waziristan, Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai, Bajaur, Mohmand, Peshawar Sub-division and other areas took part in the training. The participants received information about Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), choking, fractures, shock, transportation, bandages, heart attack, and angina.

FARAH SHAH

Humanitarian actors must do more to respond to the needs of the world’s most vulnerable people,” says the

World Disaster Report 2018, which the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) presented at an event organized in collaboration with the Pakistan Red Crescent Society at the Institute of Business Administration, Karachi on Thursday, April 25.

The launch of the report under the title ‘Leaving no one behind’ marked the centenary celebration of the IFRC.

According to the report, the growing gap between the funds required and their availability for humanitarian response is a major factor behind the exclusion of the world’s most vulnerable people.

The symposium had a special session on highlighting relevance of the World Disaster Response (WDR) to key humanitarian and development actors with Dr. Saeed Elahi, Chairman PRCS; Ms. Shahnaz Hamid, Chairperson PRCS Sindh; Mr. Neil Buhne, UN-Pakistan; Muhammad Waseem, Chairman Planning and Development Commission; Kanwar Waseem, Secretary PRCS Sindh; and Dr. Kaiser Bengali as speakers.

In the first session, challenges facing the local and international humanitarian organizations came under discussion to meet the needs of the people and address the challenges hindering humanitarian assistance to all.

Dr. Marilyn Borromeo, Country Director Pakistan and Afghanistan UNAIDS; Dr. Abdul Bari Khan, CEO Indus Hospital; Dr. Babar Jadoon, Deputy Director Health PRCS; and Neil Buhne, United Nations Pakistan Resident Coordinator, were among the panelists.

Chairman PRCS Dr. Saeed Elahi said the report was a wake-up call for the entire international humanitarian sector.

“We are all trying to do more with less, and the resources available will never grow at the same rate as the humanitarian needs. We will have to make better choices. The report lays out clear recommendations about how to achieve this, and the Pakistan Red Crescent Society is looking closely at how to implement these in Pakistan,” he said.

Local humanitarian groups, including the PRCS, are uniquely placed to overcome the limitations outlined in the report and are already present in many areas that international groups find inaccessible.

“They know who the most vulnerable people are, and how to reach them. They are present before, during and after the crises.

WORLD DISASTER REPORT 2018

Local�humanitarians�are�the�best�hopeLocal�humanitarians�are�the�best�hope

They are our best hope for ensuring that those most in need of help are no longer left behind,” he said.

PRCS Sindh Chairman Mrs. Shahnaz Hamid highlighted the challenges faced by the humanitarian sector in Pakistan.

“In Pakistan, for instance during the drought response 2019, the UNOCHA identified monetary requirement as $96.3 million to reach a population of 2.06 million people but that is only 40% of the affected population of Sindh and Balochistan. Therefore, in one way or the other, we do leave millions behind. In our country, we are facing problems, which are larger in magnitude. We have a burgeoning population and a struggling economy and frequently face disasters – natural, manmade and emergencies. These result in displacement, loss of livelihood, crops, and livestock straining both communities and the national economy.”

Exploring the relevance of World Disaster response to Pakistan, Neil Buhne talked about the challenges facing the international humanitarian organizations and the constraints faced in reaching out to the farthest.

Mr. Thomas Gutner, Acting Head of IFRC Delegation, highlighted five reasons hindering the international humanitarian system’s access to people leaving them behind. These are lack of money, lack of physical access, lack of understanding of who is in need and how best to help them, and lack of flexibility in expanding humanitarian assistance to people outside the traditional areas of conflict, disaster, displacement or disease.

The humanitarian sector can and must make a stronger effort to meet the most urgent needs, concluded the final session on CSR and philanthropy in Pakistan.

The event marks the centenary celebrations of the IFRC and its struggle for providing assistance to the national society in disasters and conflicts in Pakistan.

The event included prominent names from the academia, philanthropy, international humanitarian organizations, and corporate sector.

– The contributor is Media & Communication Officer, PRCS Sindh Branch

GETTING THE MESSAGE ACROSS: Chairman PRCS Dr. Saeed Elahi, Chairperson PRCS Sindh branch Shahnaz Hamid, Vice President Sindh Branch Sardar Yasin Malik, Acting HoD IFRC Thomas Gutner and HoD ICRC Reto Stocker at the launch of World Disaster Report 2018.

TOGETHER WE RISE: The participants of symposium pose for a group photograph after the launch of World Disaster Report 2018.

The Turkish Red Crescent Society (TRCS) gifted 300 first aid boxes to the PRCS on Tuesday, May 21. The boxes would be distributed among 150 federal capital schools and seven provincial headquarters. A two-member TRCS team, comprising President TRCS Supervisory Board Ismet Durmus and Board Member Ramazan Saygili, called on the PRCS Secretary General Khalid Bin Majeed and signed the handover documents. TRCS Head of Delegation in Pakistan Ibrahim Carlos and Mr. Abdullah were also present.

An Iftar dinner cum ambulances handover ceremony was held at the PRCS National Headquarters (NHQ), Islamabad. Special Assistant to the PM on Information Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan was chief guest, while Japanese Ambassador Kuninori Matsuda was the guest of honour. Chairman PRCS Dr Saeed Elahi, members PRCS Managing Board and Secretary General Khalid Bin Majeed received the guests. Dr Firdous said Japan always stood by Pakistan and its cooperation with regard to humanitarian assistance deserved special appreciation. She also thanked the Japanese govt for gifting state-of-the-art ambulances to the PRCS. Dr. Saeed Elahi thanked the Government of Japan for donating ambulances and said a proposal had also been forwarded to the Japanese govt for provision of four more ambulances. Mr. Matsuda appreciated the humanitarian services of the PRCS and assured that the Government of Japan would continue to cooperate with it.

The PRCS Merged Areas Branch organized a two-day [March 27-28] first aid training course for tribal areas' journalists. The purpose of the course was to impart basic life-saving skills and techniques to journalists enabling them not only to treat themselves, but also others during manmade or natural disasters or other emergencies. About 22 journalists hailing from North Waziristan, Khyber, Kurram, Orakzai, Bajaur, Mohmand, Peshawar Sub-division and other areas took part in the training. The participants received information about Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), choking, fractures, shock, transportation, bandages, heart attack, and angina.

FARAH SHAH

Humanitarian actors must do more to respond to the needs of the world’s most vulnerable people,” says the

World Disaster Report 2018, which the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) presented at an event organized in collaboration with the Pakistan Red Crescent Society at the Institute of Business Administration, Karachi on Thursday, April 25.

The launch of the report under the title ‘Leaving no one behind’ marked the centenary celebration of the IFRC.

According to the report, the growing gap between the funds required and their availability for humanitarian response is a major factor behind the exclusion of the world’s most vulnerable people.

The symposium had a special session on highlighting relevance of the World Disaster Response (WDR) to key humanitarian and development actors with Dr. Saeed Elahi, Chairman PRCS; Ms. Shahnaz Hamid, Chairperson PRCS Sindh; Mr. Neil Buhne, UN-Pakistan; Muhammad Waseem, Chairman Planning and Development Commission; Kanwar Waseem, Secretary PRCS Sindh; and Dr. Kaiser Bengali as speakers.

In the first session, challenges facing the local and international humanitarian organizations came under discussion to meet the needs of the people and address the challenges hindering humanitarian assistance to all.

Dr. Marilyn Borromeo, Country Director Pakistan and Afghanistan UNAIDS; Dr. Abdul Bari Khan, CEO Indus Hospital; Dr. Babar Jadoon, Deputy Director Health PRCS; and Neil Buhne, United Nations Pakistan Resident Coordinator, were among the panelists.

Chairman PRCS Dr. Saeed Elahi said the report was a wake-up call for the entire international humanitarian sector.

“We are all trying to do more with less, and the resources available will never grow at the same rate as the humanitarian needs. We will have to make better choices. The report lays out clear recommendations about how to achieve this, and the Pakistan Red Crescent Society is looking closely at how to implement these in Pakistan,” he said.

Local humanitarian groups, including the PRCS, are uniquely placed to overcome the limitations outlined in the report and are already present in many areas that international groups find inaccessible.

“They know who the most vulnerable people are, and how to reach them. They are present before, during and after the crises.

WORLD DISASTER REPORT 2018

Local�humanitarians�are�the�best�hopeLocal�humanitarians�are�the�best�hope

They are our best hope for ensuring that those most in need of help are no longer left behind,” he said.

PRCS Sindh Chairman Mrs. Shahnaz Hamid highlighted the challenges faced by the humanitarian sector in Pakistan.

“In Pakistan, for instance during the drought response 2019, the UNOCHA identified monetary requirement as $96.3 million to reach a population of 2.06 million people but that is only 40% of the affected population of Sindh and Balochistan. Therefore, in one way or the other, we do leave millions behind. In our country, we are facing problems, which are larger in magnitude. We have a burgeoning population and a struggling economy and frequently face disasters – natural, manmade and emergencies. These result in displacement, loss of livelihood, crops, and livestock straining both communities and the national economy.”

Exploring the relevance of World Disaster response to Pakistan, Neil Buhne talked about the challenges facing the international humanitarian organizations and the constraints faced in reaching out to the farthest.

Mr. Thomas Gutner, Acting Head of IFRC Delegation, highlighted five reasons hindering the international humanitarian system’s access to people leaving them behind. These are lack of money, lack of physical access, lack of understanding of who is in need and how best to help them, and lack of flexibility in expanding humanitarian assistance to people outside the traditional areas of conflict, disaster, displacement or disease.

The humanitarian sector can and must make a stronger effort to meet the most urgent needs, concluded the final session on CSR and philanthropy in Pakistan.

The event marks the centenary celebrations of the IFRC and its struggle for providing assistance to the national society in disasters and conflicts in Pakistan.

The event included prominent names from the academia, philanthropy, international humanitarian organizations, and corporate sector.

– The contributor is Media & Communication Officer, PRCS Sindh Branch

GETTING THE MESSAGE ACROSS: Chairman PRCS Dr. Saeed Elahi, Chairperson PRCS Sindh branch Shahnaz Hamid, Vice President Sindh Branch Sardar Yasin Malik, Acting HoD IFRC Thomas Gutner and HoD ICRC Reto Stocker at the launch of World Disaster Report 2018.

TOGETHER WE RISE: The participants of symposium pose for a group photograph after the launch of World Disaster Report 2018.

Pakistan Red Crescent SocietyNational Headquarters, Sector H-8, Islamabad

Ph: 051-9250412 www.prcs.org.pk

Write to useditor@prcs.org.pk

Editor Coordination Rehan Ali

Circulation Manager Maqsood Ahmed

Editor KB Majeed

Deputy Editor Mehmood Awan

Designer Ghulam Ahmad

Photography Ajabat Shah

Editor-in-Chief

Dr Saeed Elahi

n Vulnerability 2 Resilience project launched in AJKn Rs228.193m project to be completed in 18 monthsn 300,000 people in 160 villages of 16 UCs to benefitn Paved paths, check dams, tree plantations, supply of clean

drinking water part of project

CRESCENT NEWS

The Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) launched 'Vulnerability 2 Resilience (V2R) Project' in Azad Jammu and

Kashmir (AJK) on Thursday, June 20 in collaboration with the National Disaster Risk Management Fund [NDRMF] – a government-owned nonbanking nonprofit financial intermediary.

Secretary General PRCS Khalid Bin Majeed and NDRMF representative Khurram Khaliq signed the agreement at the NDRMF Secretariat, Islamabad on Wednesday, May 15.

Stability�through�resilience

Secretary General PRCS Khalid Bin Majeed and NDRMF representative Khurram Khaliq sign the agreement at the NDRMF Secretariat, Islamabad.

Initially, the project will cover four districts – Neelum, Jhelum, Bagh, and Sudhnoti – and then replicated in the remaining districts of this 5,000 square miles northeastern area prone to natural disasters. The project will be implemented in 18 months.

The total cost of the project is Rs228.193 million out of which the NDRMF will finance 70% [Rs159.577 million], while the PRCS will contribute 30% [PKR68.616 million].

Under the agreement, not only job opportunities would be created, but different human welfare projects like construction of paved paths and check dams, storage and supply of water, tree plantation campaigns, upkeep of basic health care units [BHUs] and primary schools, conservation of land etc would also be launched.

Launching the project, AJK President Sardar Masood Khan said during and after the 2005 devastating earthquake, the PRCS Azad Kashmir Branch provided food and temporary shelter to the affected people besides cushioning them against the biting cold and developing their capacity and resilience to natural disasters.

He said in spite of resource constraint, the PRCS Azad Kashmir Branch was determined to impart disaster response training to the vast majority of population in target areas and assured it of the AJK government's full support in this noble task.

PRCS Chairman Dr. Saeed Elahi said Pakistan and Azad Kashmir were like one human body glued together in strong bonds of love, fraternity and brotherhood.

“Relief to the people of Azad Kashmir is our top priority. The people of AJK are valiant and courageous, and the project has been launched for building their capacity to respond to natural disasters on scientific lines. The PRCS has already imparted first aid training to 61,000 people of Azad Kashmir, and our target is that every home in the state should have at least one trained first aider by 2030,” said Dr Saeed Elahi.

Secretary General PRCS Khalid Bin Majeed said the project would benefit 160 villages in 16 union councils (UCs) of the four districts benefitting around 300,000 people.

AJK President Sardar Masood Khan, Chairman PRCS Dr. Saeed Elahi, Chairman PRCS AJK Branch Dr. Sardar Mehmood Khan, PRCS Secretary General

Khalid Bin Majeed, Acting Head of Delegation IFRC Thomas Gutner and others pose for a group photograph at the launch of V2R project.