Tag: PRCS

Islamabad, May 20, 2022 (PPI-OT):Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance humanitarian cooperation between the two organizations. The MoU was signed in presence of Chairman PRCS Abrar ul Haq and Chairman NDMA Lt Gen Akhtar Nawaz. PRCS Secretary General Dr Adeel Nawaz and NDMA member DRR Muhammad Idrees Mehsud signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organizations at a ceremony held here at the NDMA head office.

The partnership agreement will provide the broad framework for cooperation between the two organizations in enhancing mutual interest and understanding particularly in areas of Communities Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM), Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), collaboration in tacking disasters and other emergency situations in the country through efforts focusing on preparedness, mitigation, risk reduction, relief and rehabilitation.

Speaking on the occasion, Abrar ul Haq said that both organizations will work together to promote a culture of prevention, mitigation, better and enhanced coordination among key stakeholders involved in Disaster Risk Management (DRM). “The collaboration between PRCS and NDMA on community-based disaster risk reduction (CBDRR) will not only help disaster-struck communities in an organized manner but also make service delivery quicker and efficient”, he added.

Abrar ul Haq said PRCS has a huge volunteer base and its nationwide presence puts it in a unique place vis-à-vis effective handling of disasters or emergency situations. He said PRCS and NDMA will also develop linkages and build partnerships with academia through research study, knowledge exchange, and exchange of resource persons for trainings, workshops and seminars.

NDMA Chairman Lt Gen Akhtar Nawaz hailed the PRCS endeavours for supporting the vulnerable segments of the society. He said NDMA and PRCS partnership will go a long way in mitigating the sufferings of vulnerable communities. He said NDMA will enhance collaboration with PRCS in the field of volunteer engagement, capacity building trainings in collaboration with NIDM (National Institute of Disaster Management) and community engagement.

For more information, contact:
Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS)
PRCS National Headquarters, H-8, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-300-8508138
Ph: +92-51-9250404-5
Fax: +92-51-9250408
E-mail: hilal@isb.comsats.net.pk
Web: http://www.prcs.org.pk

Islamabad, May 20, 2022 (PPI-OT):The Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) distributed food packs among deserving families at a ceremony held here at the National Headquarters on Monday. The food packs were distributed among 100 families as part of an initiative launched in collaboration with the Turkish Red Crescent (TRC) under which a total of 750 families will be provided with ration packs in Islamabad and Haripur during the holy month of Ramazan. Iftar Packs will also be provided to 2000 families under this initiative.

Ambassador of Turkey Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul, PRCS Chairman Abrar ul Haq, Head of Turkish Red Crescent in Pakistan Ibraheem Carlos, PRCS and TRC officials and volunteers attended the ceremony. In his address on the occasion, Chairman Abrar ul Haq said the PRCS has been serving the suffering humanity across country to the best of its capabilities and without any discrimination. He said the PRCS officers and trained volunteers have the unique honour of being the first to reach and last to leave the troubled spots in the wake of any disaster or emergency situation in any part of the country.

Abrar ul Haq said the holy month of Ramazan affords an opportunity to the faithful to win Allah Almighty’s boundless blessings by serving the deserving people. He said every year, the PRCS distributes food packs among the deserving families in collaboration with the Turkish Red Crescent. He said the TRC has supported several development and humanitarian interventions in Pakistan for decades. He wished a stronger partnership between PRCS and TRC in future to ensure a better future to the vulnerable segments of the society. “Together, we have to work for the betterment of our communities with greater commitment and dedication,” he added.

In his speech, Turkish Ambassador Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul said that this ceremony is the expression of solidarity with the deserving people of Pakistan amid these challenging times. “The quantity of food packs being distributed may not be that huge, but what matters is the demonstration of close relations and brotherhood between the people of Pakistan and Turkey,” he said, adding that the TRC has reached out to thousands of people in Pakistan in the time of need in the recent years. The ambassador hailed the PRCS for its services towards the suffering humanity.

Later, Ambassador Ihsan Mustafa Yurdakul, Chairman Abrar ul Haq distributed ration packs among the deserving families. On Monday, PRCS also inaugurated a solarized water filtration plant in Pind Begwal village of Islamabad. The water filtration plant was built by PRCS in collaboration with International Federation of the Red Cross Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid (ECHO), to facilitate the communities residing in Pind Begwal.

Speaking with the communities on the occasion, PRCS Chairman Abrar ul Haq said that it was a great pleasure for him to inaugurate the solar water filtration plant that is envisioned to uplift the quality of life for the targeted communities, instilling a sense of hope for a healthier future. He said the water filtration plant will provide safe drinking water with the capacity of producing 1000 gallons per hour and the solar panel will also generate free of cost electricity for 200 street lights in the village. Abrar-ul-Haq thanked ICRC, IFRC, Red Cross Red Crescent Movement Partners, ECHO and all the other external partners for supporting PRCS in its humanitarian endeavours across Pakistan.

For more information, contact:
Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS)
PRCS National Headquarters, H-8, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-300-8508138
Ph: +92-51-9250404-5
Fax: +92-51-9250408
E-mail: hilal@isb.comsats.net.pk
Web: http://www.prcs.org.pk

Karachi, May 08, 2022 (PPI-OT):On May 8, 2022, the Pakistan Red Crescent (PRC) observed World Red Cross Red Crescent (RCRC) Day across the country. The Sindh provincial branch of Pakistan Red Crescent and its district branches held various activities in connection with the World RCRC Day, including flag hoisting, also paid tribute to the founder of the RCRC Movement, Henry Dunant, and the founder of Pakistan Red Crescent, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah; a flag march of PRC-Sindh vehicles; and a get-together with volunteers was also organized at Hilal-e-Ahmer house, Clifton, Karachi.

Talking to the staff, volunteers, and media, the Provincial Secretary of Pakistan Red Crescent-Sindh Kanwar Waseem said that the seed planted 159 years ago is now providing fruit and shadow to millions of people worldwide. He further said that in conflicts and disasters, the volunteers and staff of the Pakistan Red Crescent walk the last mile to ensure that no one is left behind. Kanwar Waseem said that the PRC had provided relief of billions of rupees to millions of the affected families in Pakistan since its inception 75 years ago.

He added that PRC-Sindh had provided First Aid training to 400,000 people, and now we have a target to strengthen its Emergency Response Force in all districts of the province. #BeHumanKind is the theme of World Red Cross Red Crescent Day 2022, and today my message is that let’s work together for humanity. “We must believe in the power of kindness and compassion because there is a great reward for this act,” the Provincial Secretary said.

PRC-Sindh Honorary Treasurer Dr. Majid Alvi said that these are the staff and volunteers that have enabled the Pakistan Red Crescent to serve humanity and deal with disasters efficiently. Today, we all would like to pay tribute to these staff members and volunteers for performing commendable work during disasters.

PRC-Sindh Member Managing Committee Asfandyar Jahangir said that today, on RCRC Day, they recognize the incredible contributions and achievements of the millions of volunteers and staff worldwide who uphold our commitment to humanity every day. The event was attended by a large number of Red Crescent staff, volunteers, media, and people from all walks of life.

For more information, contact:
Sindh Provincial Branch,
Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS)
Hilal-e Ahmar House, G 2 Khayaban-e-Iqbal, Zone A Block 7,
Teen Talwar, Main Clifton Road, Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-35306227, 35306228, 35306229
Fax: +92-21-35830376
E-mail: phq@prcsindh.org.pk
Website: http://www.prcsindh.org.pk/

Karachi, April 24, 2022 (PPI-OT):The Sindh Branch of Pakistan Red Crescent (PRC) immediately deployed its disaster management team to distribute relief items to the families affected by the fire-blazed villages in Mehar taluka of Dadu district. According to a press release, Pakistan Red Crescent Sindh Disaster Management Team, led by Senior Vice Chairman Raffique Ahmed Jafferi, visited the two fire-blazed villages 35 km away from Mehar City, met the affected families and offered prayers and condolences. Villagers told the Red Crescent team that a severe sandstorm caused the fire to burn everything to ashes in 10 minutes, which is common this season of the year.

Under the supervision of Senior Vice Chairman Jafferi, the team has distributed a package consisting of Hygiene kits, Carnosine Stoves, Hurricane Lamps, mosquito nets and mats amongst 185 affected families in both fire-blazed villages. Jafferi said that immediately after the incident, a team from PRC District Branch Dadu was deployed to assess the situation and apprise the provincial headquarters in Karachi about the need for assistance to the families affected by the fire.

Jafferi said the PDMA Sindh had already distributed tents and rations to the affected families, so the Red Crescent tried to provide other relief items that could help them further. He further said that Pakistan Red Crescent Sindh is always ready to alleviate the suffering of the victims of any disaster or horrific incident. Jafferi also urged philanthropists and donors to make maximum donations to the Pakistan Red Crescent for the victims of the Dadu fire so that more help could be given to those in need in a timely manner.

For more information, contact:
Sindh Provincial Branch,
Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS)
Hilal-e Ahmar House, G 2 Khayaban-e-Iqbal, Zone A Block 7,
Teen Talwar, Main Clifton Road, Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-35306227, 35306228, 35306229
Fax: +92-21-35830376
E-mail: phq@prcsindh.org.pk
Website: http://www.prcsindh.org.pk/

Karachi, April 18, 2022 (PPI-OT):Following warnings of severe weather conditions, especially heat waves, the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS), in collaboration with the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), has started a series of orientation sessions on heat-related emergencies for Sindh government officials and civil society representatives. The training sessions are held from April 18, 2022, to April 29, 2022, at the Red Crescent Training Institute, Clifton Karachi.

Addressing the participants at the inaugural ceremony, Kanwar Waseem, Provincial Secretary, Pakistan Red Crescent Sindh Branch, said that we all face natural calamities yearly due to climate change. The Provincial Secretary also lauded the efforts of PDMA-Sindh in bringing together more than 85 participants, including officials from DDMA, the Deputy Commissioner Officer of all districts of Karachi, Health, and other departments of the Sindh government on the first day of the orientation session.

“Awareness about heat-related emergencies is very important for us in the days to come so that, when participants learn first aid knowledge, skills and techniques, they can save their own lives and the lives of others,” he added. Mr. Imdad Hussain Siddiqui, Deputy Director (Ops), also addressed the participants and emphasised the importance of hands-on learning with PRCS trainers. He thanked the Pakistan Red Crescent and praised the professional and expert team of trainers. He further said that youth should also be targeted for this type of training. He said they are also planning a similar orientation session for the officials in the interior of Sindh.

Dr. Rizwana Wasif, Training Coordinator, Pakistan Red Crescent-Sindh, who is responsible for managing and conducting all orientation sessions with her team, stated that all participants actively participated in the session, which covered all heat-related emergencies like heat exhaustion, Heatstroke, dehydration, fainting, fits unconsciousness, emergency resuscitation and how to transport a person in an ambulance or a heatstroke vehicle.

She added that Pakistan Red Crescent-Sindh, in collaboration with PDMA, will hold more sessions in the coming days for traffic police, medical and paramedical staff, and representatives of various welfare and civil society organizations, such as KMC, Edhi, Chippa, Saylani, AlKhidmat, Sindh Boy Scouts Association, Pakistan Girl Guides Association Sindh Chapter, and others, which will have a significant impact and benefit on the general public during heatwave days.

For more information, contact:
Sindh Provincial Branch,
Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS)
Hilal-e Ahmar House, G 2 Khayaban-e-Iqbal, Zone A Block 7,
Teen Talwar, Main Clifton Road, Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-35306227, 35306228, 35306229
Fax: +92-21-35830376
E-mail: phq@prcsindh.org.pk
Website: http://www.prcsindh.org.pk/

Karachi, April 14, 2022 (PPI-OT):Following warnings of severe weather conditions, especially heat waves, the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) is going to start training sessions for journalists, civil society representatives, and common people next week to deal with any natural calamity and disaster, PRCS Sindh officials said on Wednesday.

Kanwar Waseem, Provincial Secretary of Pakistan Red Crescent-Sindh, stated in his address to journalists at the Karachi Press Club that we all face natural calamities yearly due to climate change. Following severe weather warnings, particularly heat waves, he also announced that the PRC-Sindh, in collaboration with the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), will begin training civil society organizations, journalists, ordinary people, and volunteers on alternate days each week at the Red Crescent Training Institute in Clifton, Karachi.

Senior journalists, including health reporters, attended the meetup, which was organized to apprise the media persons of the PRCS activities. Waseem said the PRCS was highly committed to providing basic health and first aid facilities to the maximum number of people in the country to deal with emergencies. He added that training sessions conducted during peaceful and normal days helped the authorities and people deal with emergencies effectively and without any chaos.

He emphasized that first aid training was very important for media practitioners in the field or at home, adding that accidents, bomb blasts, and other emergencies were frequent, and generally, journalists were the first to arrive at the scene after any accident. KPC health and environment committee secretary Muhammad Waqar Bhatti thanked the PRCS for its efforts to train people to deal with emergencies, saying that the PRCS had been conducting training sessions for journalists for the last 10 years.

“Many of our journalists have provided first aid to fellow journalists and common people after getting trained by the Red Crescent trainers. I have helped injured people on the roads with the help of the first aid kit and training provided to me by the PRCS Sindh,” Bhatti added. He urged the PRCS Sindh secretary and officials to continue training sessions for journalists and common people. PRCS Sindh Media and Communication Officer Muhamad Aftab Madni and senior journalist Nazir Laghari also spoke.

For more information, contact:
Sindh Provincial Branch,
Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS)
Hilal-e Ahmar House, G 2 Khayaban-e-Iqbal, Zone A Block 7,
Teen Talwar, Main Clifton Road, Karachi, Pakistan
Tel: +92-21-35306227, 35306228, 35306229
Fax: +92-21-35830376
E-mail: phq@prcsindh.org.pk
Website: http://www.prcsindh.org.pk/