Must collect 12 tonnes of clothes in Norway
The great flood in Pakistan has shown a strong willingness to help among the Norwegian-Pakistani. Several have started collections to help the old country.
One third of Pakistan is under water. Nearly 1,200 people have died in the flood, which is the biggest in the country’s 75-year history.
According to the Pakistani authorities, the flood has caused damage worth at least NOK 100 billion. According to the Pakistani authorities, it may take five years to rebuild the country, writes BBC Urdu. Meanwhile, 33 million of the country’s population of around 243 million fleeing from the flood waters. Many have lost everything they owned and are now waiting for help.
Just under 40,000 people with a Pakistani background live in Norway. The vast majority have roots in the north of the country, which is not particularly badly affected by the flood. Nevertheless, there is great commitment to helping the flood victims in the south.
Now several Norwegian-Pakistani have started fundraising campaigns to help their compatriots in need. One of them is Amer Latif. He runs the organization Noor Relief on a daily basis. In recent days, there have been several phone calls from people who want to help the flood victims.
– Just yesterday I received over ten phone calls from people who want to give away clothes and money to the flood victims. This despite the fact that I have not actively gone out and asked for donations. The demand has been great in recent days and has increased gradually. Next week we will receive a large container that will be filled with clothes and sent to Pakistan, says Latif.
He works with Tasaddaq Hussain who has also sent aid to Pakistan in previous crises. Among other things, when the country was hit by a flood in 2010.
12 tons of clothes
The aim is to collect 12 tonnes of clothes. They are to be sent to the big city of Lahore. From there, they will be distributed to those affected with the help of a local organisation.
– We are now waiting for the container and will post more information on our Facebook page when the container arrives. There are many who are homeless now. That’s why it’s important to get the clothes out before winter comes, says Latif.
He lives in Oslo. His family comes from the Gujrat area which is not particularly affected by the flood.
Food for 50,000 families
The Rahma Islamic Relief Fund has been helping people in poor countries for a number of years. Malik Munir Ahmad helped start the foundation. He says that they have received over NOK 600,000 so far.
– Until now, we have provided food for one month’s consumption to 800 families. These days we are working to reach another 1,000 families. Our collection will continue. The aim is to collect enough money to feed 50,000 families for a month, says Ahmad.
He, too, notices that the Norwegian-Pakistani have a great sense of joy.
Sending five trucks with emergency aid
When Mohammad Shahbaz Malik from Søndre Nordstrand saw the enormous destruction, he reacted spontaneously. He sent messages to friends and family. In a few days, he has received over NOK 60,000.
Most of the money has been sent to the family in Pakistan, which in collaboration with an organization will send emergency aid to the disaster-stricken areas.
– Before the weekend, we will send five trucks with emergency aid. Right now, they need food and cooking plasters, so they can cook. In addition, we send medicines, says Malik.
He reminds that help must not stop her.
– This is a short-term measure. In the longer term, they will need winter clothing and shelter. Due to the enormous damage to the agricultural areas, we also see that the price of foodstuffs has risen well. Therefore, we must not stop her, but continue to help going forward, says Malik.