[Hard2Hit]

A.A,

A friend and I visited Muzaffargarh near Multan which is one of the worst hit areas by flood. I'm sharing our experience here so that others who are planning to personally help the flood affectees can get some help/direction from our visit. This note entails some suggestions and videos that we captured.

http://www.facebook....id=434859974797

My visit to flood affected areas - Pakistan August 2010

Muzaffargarh is at around 45 minutes drive from Multan. Upon reaching there one would start observing road side makeshift camps and shelters, dont stop here as those aren't the formal camps. Further down the road there is an overhead bridge and after crossing that bridge 3 big chimney towers would be seen on the right hand side. There is a road (turning right) that leads to these towers, in the middle of this road there is a big entrance gate to a govt employees housing society. There is a school in this colony where most of the flood affectees are sheltered.

Every second child is suffering from stomach diseases. Hamdulillah we took relevant supplies and medicine for children. Even though the medicine stock there was loaded with ample supplies, but "Dependal-M" syrup (for diarrhea, loose or liquid bowel) which is specific to little children was missing. We took around 25 bottles there from Lahore which were given to the mothers of suffering kids.

There is more than enough food and supplies there, and it continues to come in further. Affectees are fed twice a day and milk/tea is served as well. Whats lacking is proper sanitation and health care especially for women and newborn to one year old children. Anybody wishing to contribute further should focus only on little children and women specific issues...


PTI/Pukaar has setup a relief camp there. These two videos were captured there when the camp organizer was briefing us about how things are being run there.

Inside PTIs Supply Camp - Muzaffargarh - http://www.facebook....?v=460847134065

PTI has also setup medical and registeration camps for later rehabilitation efforts.

PTIs Dispensary and Registration - Muzaffargarh - http://www.facebook....?v=460849924065


We then went inside the main camp (school) where a relief worker briefed us on the aid distribution. Most of the affectees are staying in this school, yet many chose to stay in the flooded areas to guard their households. All the items that are being donated by individuals, charity orgs, PTI, JI, NGOs et al, are being dispersed in an orgnanized fashion by Pakistan rangers and PTI.

Here is a video of the short briefing:


Relief Distribution Strategy - Muzaffargarh - http://www.facebook....?v=460813884065


We also talked to the affected families and recorded their views. This is the survival phase, next most important milestone would be rehabilitation. Funds should be raised and preserved to rebuild homes and fields/farms for these people in a better coordinated and organized fashion. The Orgs working there know best where and how the money should be spent, so all the info should be gathered first and then ownership should be taken for specific families for rehabilitation.

Discussion with a family - Muzaffargarh - http://www.facebook....?v=460837599065


Talking to and guiding a woman - Muzaffargarh - http://www.facebook....?v=460844014065


Hope this helps. Let me know if anyone needs any further information, i've a couple of contacts in the camps there.

Wasalam,
-me.

[ChotooMotoo]

Glad to know some people are getting assistance