Lahore, October 25, 2022 (PPI-OT):Food items, shelter, medicines, mosquito nets and repellents, mats, tents, clean water, clothes, and cooking utensils are being distributed to people of Balochistan and Rajanpur since August 2022. Pakistan has witnessed the worst floods of its history that have displaced more than 33 million people and claimed the lives of more than a thousand people across all major provinces. A large number of drowned villages and innumerable casualties were reported due to the floods in Balochistan and South Punjab.
In response to this catastrophe, the UOL Relief team of volunteers comprising staff and students led by Mr. Nasir Mahmood (Pro-Rector, Academics) visited the flood-hit area of Balochistan in order to gauge the scale of damage and offer effective relief services. It was assessed that the regions surrounding the districts of Jhal Magsi and Naseerabad in Balochistan, with a population of more than 150,000 people, had been tragically hit by the calamity and required immediate aid and attention in the form of food, shelter, medical aid, and reconstruction.
The region that was first affected by the continuous spell of monsoon rains underwent further damage with the bursting of Goggi Dam, resulting in all properties and agricultural lands being underwater. To initiate relief work, the team of UOL Relief decided to consider the District Naseerabad first, particularly the areas of Balochistan Union Council Kot Palyani and Union Council Manju Shuri. Up till now, the relief work has been carried out systematically in different phases.
Distribution of food packs
The floods washed away shelters and livestock. It was observed that more than 1,500 families in both Union Councils of District Naseerabad were severely affected. Around 500 families from both Union Councils of Rajanpur were without food and clean drinking water. So far, UOL has distributed more than 2,441 food packs in the two union councils.
Medical camps in Balochistan
Floods led to the spread of infectious diseases like diarrhoea, scabies, fungus infections, upper and lower respiratory tract infections, etc. To provide treatment for such diseases, the UOL Relief set up two medical camps, covering the area of Monjho Shori and Baba Kot in Balochistan in the months of September and October, 2022.
More than 2,441 patients were treated in these two camps. The medical team that was involved in providing treatment was comprised of four doctors: Dr. Nasir Siddique (General Surgery Specialist), Dr. Ali Faiz (Skin Specialist), Dr. Zaima Firdous (Cardiologist), Dr. Asif Naeem a staff nurse, Ms. Mahnoor Mehmood, and two pharmacists, along with four members of the core team of UOL Relief.
Other items being distributed
Tents, slippers, mats, pairs of shoes, and cooking utensils were also distributed to the homeless. To prevent the outbreak and spread of malaria, more than 175 mosquito nets and more than 1,052 repellents were distributed to the flood-affected families. The UOL Relief is continuing to mobilize resources in terms of food packs, shelter, and medical aid for the helpless, hungry, hopeless flood victims.
For more information, contact:
The University of Lahore
1 – KM Defence Road, Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: +92-42-111-865-865, +92-42-35322501 +92-42-35321761
Email: info@uol.edu.pk
Website: www.uol.edu.pk