Pakistanis give generously to help families in devastated northwest

“I have not seen such a good way of distribution anywhere else,” said Haji Ijaz Akhtar, a businessman and president of the Japan Market in Peshawar, who donated nearly US$600.

“After witnessing the excellent, transparent and unambiguous way World Vision Pakistan handles its distributions here today, I intend not only to donate more money but will also urge my other colleagues to donate generously to World Vision.”

The contributions of local donors were bolstered by contributions organized by the Pakistani community outside the country.

The Muslim Community of North East Tennessee (MCNET), a group of Muslims from different backgrounds, raised US$11,000 to help families in Shabarra; a badly hit town in the Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa Province (KPK) of Pakistan.

“Pakistani families are extremely resilient but they need support to help rebuild their lives,” said Afshan Ali Chishti, a young Pakistani freelance consultant, who together with her sister Sobia Ali Chishti helped MCNET raise the money. “We want to help them towards rehabilitation and recovery.”

With the proceeds of this donation, World Vision distributed kitchenware, bedding, hygiene kits, gas cylinders, floor mats, tents and a small cash grant to 48 families in Shabarra. World Vision also provided assessments and logistics to support the distribution.

“Shabarra was the most devastated village in Charsadda district and has not seen any aid intervention from any aid agency,” said Ali Chisti. “I am happy and thankful to World Vision for identifying this village. They distributed the relief supplies among 48 targeted households in a very organised and dignified way.”

“We are also planning to celebrate Eid with this community with the collaboration of World Vision Pakistan and after Eid, the Muslim Community of North East Tennessee is planning to support 12 more families. We hope that MCNET will be able to generate some more funds during Eid so that we are able to support more families in this village.”

A group of Pakistanis from Houston also donated US$3,000, which will be used to help displaced families to celebrate Eid.

“The fact that Pakistanis are helping Pakistanis is highly commendable,” said Shaharyar Khan Bangash, who manages World Vision’s programmes in KPK. “These donations from the Pakistani community through World Vision are an endorsement of the trust the Pakistani community has in our work.”

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