Pakistan
Emergency Disasters
Pakistan has been subject to numerous earthquakes, droughts and floods in recent years, forcing millions of Pakistanis to rely on foreign aid.
In October 2005, the largest earthquake to hit South Asia in a century devastated parts of Northern Pakistan and Pakistani-administered Kashmir. The 7.6 magnitude earthquake destroyed entire towns and villages and affected over 5 million people. Over 73,000 people died and 3 million were left homeless.
Islamic Relief was on the scene within hours of the earthquake, distributing emergency aid kits and food packets.
Three years later, while Islamic Relief field workers were still helping victims from previous disasters, another major quake shook Pakistan. The 6.4 magnitude quake, which was followed by many aftershocks including one of 5.4 magnitude, buried people alive under the debris of their homes and left more than 70,000 residents homeless, according to estimates of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).
Islamic Relief's emergency teams were immediately deployed, providing food, water, clothing and tents to thousands of victims. Over the years, Islamic Relief has provided more than $50 million worth of relief and development aid to thousands of people living in Pakistan.
Financial Woes
Poverty is widespread in Pakistan, with over 73 percent of Pakistanis living on less than $2 a day and nearly one-third of the Pakistani population living under the national poverty line, according to the United Nations 2007/2008 Human Development Report (HDR).
More than 2 million Afghan refugees have sought asylum in Pakistan as well, exacerbating the struggles of the impoverished masses.
In response, Islamic Relief has implemented many development projects, in addition to rebuilding schools, initiating numerous income generation projects and investing resources in disaster-preparedness campaigns.
Islamic Relief hopes to give Pakistanis the opportunity for self-sufficiency, but with millions of people in need of service, your support is needed.
Please donate today to help maintain Islamic Relief’s work in countries like Pakistan.
Pakistan cricket players hold press conference with Islamic Relief
Longtime friends and ardent supporters of Islamic Relief, Shahid Afridi, Younis Khan and Rashid Latif were in Karachi, Pakistan for the launch of Islamic Relief’s Malakand Rehabilitation Program on October 26.
Speaking at a press conference in Karachi, the cricket players praised the relief and assistance Islamic Relief has been providing for those displaced by fighting in Malakand.
Moin Khan, who has also played a pivotal role in promoting Islamic Relief’s activities in Pakistan, had to leave last minute for the funeral of Wasim Khan’s wife, Huma who passed away on October 25 in Lahore.
Prayers were offered for the deceased and all the speakers, including Haris Khan, former cricketer and coach, expressed condolences to Wasim Akram on the untimely death of his wife.
“We are all with Wasim Akram and his family in this difficult time,” Latif said.
Afridi, Latif and both the Khans have been highly instrumental in raising funds for Islamic Relief within Pakistan and overseas.
Islamic Relief in Pakistan
Working in the region since 1992, Islamic Relief has been providing necessary services across Pakistan and the Pakistani-administered regions of Kashmir for nearly two decades.
Islamic Relief has successfully implemented countless relief and development projects in Pakistan, including orphan support, emergency disaster relief, vocational training and many others.
After two years of dedicated service, Islamic Relief founded its Islamabad headquarters in 1994.
Field workers collaborate closely with local organizations and Pakistani government officials to ensure efficiency and deliver aid to the most needy.
Thousands of Pakistanis have received aid from Islamic Relief, but immeasurable work can still be done.
Please donate today to help support Islamic Relief’s work in countries like Pakistan.