PRCS – Page 4 – Newswire Pakistan

January 24, 2023January 25, 2023

PRCS Chairman Sardar Shahid Ahmed Laghari Calls on Governor Punjab Muhammad Baligh Ur Rehman

Lahore, January 24, 2023 (PPI-OT):Chairman Pakistan Red Crescent Society Sardar Shahid Laghari called on Governor Punjab Baligh Ur Rehman at Governor House here on Monday. In the meeting, Governor Punjab appreciated the role and services of Red Crescent in dealing with climate change and natural calamities. He lauded PRCS services and humanitarian assistance in mitigating the suffering of the vulnerable and distressed during flood response 2022.

The Governor of Punjab assured that government will fully support PRCS Punjab Branch and would take all possible measures to strengthen its programs and interventions in the province and to improve its coordination mechanism and district branch network for efficient service delivery.

Speaking on this occasion, PRCS Chairman Sardar Shahid Ahmad Laghari said that Red Crescent was in the forefront of serving the suffering humanity. He said that PRCS Punjab branch should build synergies at province level on disaster preparedness and disaster contingency planning just like we have at national level.

He said all the branches are arms of National Headquarter and he is visiting all the provinces and meeting with PHQ leadership to bring harmony among all the branches. He requested the support of Governor of Punjab in increasing the district branch network, volunteer base and coordination mechanism of PRCS Provincial Branch.

He said that Red Crescent will expand the scope of its welfare projects in Punjab with the support of its Movement Partners and stakeholders. Chairman PRCS Punjab Branch Justice (R) Sheikh Ahmed Farooq, Secretary General PRCS Muhammad Obaid ullah Khan, Secretary PRCS Punjab Muhammad Zahid and others were also present on this occasion.

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

January 24, 2023January 25, 2023

German Red Cross with PRCS distributed relief items to 32000 flood-affected families in Sindh

Karachi, January 24, 2023 (PPI-OT):The monsoon rains have caused widespread damage, leaving thousands of people homeless and in need of urgent assistance. Frequent rains have caused rivers and canals to overflow, leading to the displacement of thousands of people, damage to homes and infrastructure, and loss of crops and livelihoods.

The floods have affected various regions in Pakistan, including all the major provinces. Many communities have been cut off from basic necessities, and even though months have passed, the situation still remains dire. The government and various aid organizations are working tirelessly to provide relief and assistance to those affected. However, the scale of the disaster is overwhelming, and more support is desperately needed.

Pakistan Red Crescent Society Sindh Provincial branch with the assistance of the German Red Cross provided relief assistance with food items, Kitchen sets and Hygiene kits to 32,300 families. This assistance was provided to most flood-affected families in Sanghar, Shaheed Benazirabad, Matiari, Nowshehro Feroz, Dadu, Jamshoro, Larkana, and Khairpur Districts.

In general German Red Cross supported 46,200 families across the country. In Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, 10,650 families were given relief items while in Punjab we helped 3,250 households. A significant portion of relief items was given to 32,300 families in the worst-hit areas of Sindh Province.

The Food Package that was distributed by the German Red Cross consisted of wheat flour 20 kg, basmati rice 15 kg, pulses 5 kg, red beans 2 kg, ghee/ cooking oil 3 kg/ltr, sugar 3.5 kg black tea 0.5 kg and salt 1 kg. This food package was distributed along with the kitchen set with 01 Jug, 01 Ladle, 07 Spoons, 01 Kettle, 01 Cooking Pot, 01 Pacification, 07 Dishes, and 07 Glasses.

This Food package was tailored to fulfil the needs of an average 6 persons family for 15 days. Apart from the food, another concern was to help people counter the unhygienic conditions that were causing widespread diseases among the flood-affected communities.

Our team made sure to provide awareness on the use of hygiene products, for this purpose we conducted 877 Hygiene Promotion Sessions among the communities throughout the country. After the Hygiene Session, we provided hygiene kits to the families.

The Hygiene Kits were customized to support the needs of an average household, consisting of 6 towels, 3 plastic combs, 12 body soaps, 6 laundry soaps, 2 kinds of toothpaste, 6 toothbrushes, 1 scissor, 2 nail clippers, 6 underwear, Menstruation 9×3 hygiene pads, 6 hygiene razors. Even though we provided relief and assistance to the flood-ravaged communities, the scale of the disaster is overwhelming, and more support is desperately needed.

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/

January 20, 2023

PRCS Organizes Historic Mega Youth Gathering and Marathon Event for Rehabilitation of Flood Victims

Karachi, January 20, 2023 (PPI-OT):Chairman PRCS Sardar Shahid Ahmed Laghari said PRCS has provided humanitarian assistance to over 2.3 million people through Mobile Health Units, provision of food, non-food items, tents, cooked food, health and hygiene promotion and the role of volunteers in rescue and relief has been key; urged the Philanthropists should play their full role for the rehabilitation of flood affected people. Faisial Karim Kundi and Zamurd Khan praised Red Crescent’s humanitarian initiatives; said PRCS has been actively engaged in mitigating the sufferings of flood-hit families.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Red Crescent Society organizes mega youth gathering and marathon event of 5000 youth including students of different institutions of twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad for the relief and rehabilitation of flood-affected families. The event was held at Jinnah Convention Centre here today.

Addressing the ceremony, PRCS Chairman Sardar Shahid Ahmad Laghari said that the main purpose of this event was to raise funds, mobilize youth and volunteers and to channelize their efforts for relief and rehabilitation activities for the flood-affected communities. He said the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement has 15 million volunteers and PRCS has a batch of 750,000 trained volunteers. “The volunteers associated with the PRCS in the flood affected areas have made history and the role of volunteers in rescue and relief has been key”, he added.

Sardar Shahid Ahmad Laghari said that PRCS has provided humanitarian assistance to over 2.3 million people through health care, Mobile Health Units, provision of food, non-food items, tents, cooked food, health and hygiene promotion. He requested the participants to join PRCS and play their effective part for the rehabilitation of flood victims. “What can be a greater good than if someone’s day is enlightened by your donation, if someone gets a warm quilt from the given charity, the prayer coming out of the trembling lips will give you joy, your small part can become someone’s happiness”, he added.

The Guest of Honor, former Deputy Speaker and Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Faisal Karim Kundi said that the Red Crescent has comforted the nation in every difficult time. He said equipping the youth with training in first aid and disaster management is the distinction of the Red Crescent. He said the current leadership of PRCS has shown its iron.

The Patron-in-Chief of Pakistan Sweet Homes, Zamard Khan, in his speech, praised the efforts of PRCS, describing the youth as a symbol of change. He said that the youth role in the rehabilitation of the flood victims is highly commendable. Chairman PRCS Gilgit-Baltistan Brigadier (Rtd) Saleem Mehmood, Chairman PRCS Punjab Justice (Rtd) Sheikh Ahmed Farooq also addressed the participants. Earlier, Secretary General Obaid Ullah Khan in his welcome speech thanked all the participants and highlighted the history of Red Crescent, and voluntary services.

On this occasion, the Red Crescent Associate Members Drive was launched and two people were awarded honorary membership. All the participants took an oath to work as volunteers with the Red Crescent. Cash prizes were distributed among the position holders of Marathon. Mobile Blood Camp was also setup where 33 units of blood donations were collected. In the end, commemorative shields were presented to Zamrad Khan and Faisal Karim Kundi.

January 20, 2023

PRCS provides post livelihood support to Pakistani returnees from Turkey

Karachi, January 20, 2023 (PPI-OT):Cash Assistance given to one person and loader rickshaws were given to three Pakistani returnees from Turkey; Under the PRCS-TRC pilot project, 200 Pakistani returnees from Turkey will benefit, 150 people will be given financial assistance while 50 beneficiaries will get post livelihood support so that they can live a normal life again in Pakistan after their return to homeland. PRCS Chairman Sardar Shahid Ahmed Laghari says steps will be taken to make this project long-term, a full awareness campaign will also be conducted; says Turkish Red Crescent has always supported Pakistan Red Crescent Society as a reliable partner in case of any disaster, emergency and provision of humanitarian assistance to vulnerable communities.

Islamabad: A pilot project of Post-Return Livelihood Support related to the return of illegal Pakistanis living in Turkey and assistance to them for livelihood support, has been launched. The launching event in this regard was held at the Pakistan Red Crescent Society National Headquarters here today, in which two persons who returned to Pakistan voluntarily from Turkey, were provided with loader rickshaws for livelihood, while one person was given cash financial assistance and one person was given Chung Chi Rickshaw.

The ceremony was attended by Chairman PRCS Sardar Shahid Ahmed Laghari, Secretary General Ubaid Ullah Khan, Head of Delegation of Turkey Red Crescent in Pakistan Ibrahim Carlos, Hafiz Ece Yilmazturk, Alper Suna, Dursun Delikta, Muhsin Balci among Turkish delegation, PRCS, TRC staff and volunteers.

Speaking on this occasion, PRCS Chairman Sardar Shahid Ahmed Laghari said that an agreement was made between Pakistan Red Crescent and Turkish Red Crescent in 2021, according to which measures would be taken keeping in mind the mutual interest in the return of Pakistani illegal immigrants. Under this pilot project, 200 people will be benefited, 150 people will be given financial assistance, while 50 people will be provided with means of livelihood such as setting up a barber shop, Chung Chi or Loader Rickshaw so that they can support their families. He said currently, 50248 out of 2.5 million illegal immigrants in Turkey belong to Pakistan.

He also congratulated the nationals who voluntarily returned to Pakistan. In the meeting before the ceremony, Sardar Shahid Ahmed Laghari expressed that the cooperation of the two institutions will open new avenues of cooperation in the coming days. “Steps will be taken to make this project long-term, a full awareness campaign will also be conducted”, he added.

PRCS Chairman said that PRCS is serving the suffering humanity to the best of its capability and without any discrimination. He said Turkey has always stood side by side with people of Pakistan through thick and thin. He also paid rich tributes to the TRC for their generous support and long-term partnership with the PRCS in humanitarian interventions in the last decades. “The TRC has always fulfilled its commitment to support PRCS as a reliable partner in case of any disaster, emergency or provision of humanitarian assistance to vulnerable communities,” he said.

Among those who have benefited from means of livelihood under the “Post-Return Livelihood Support Project” with the cooperation of PRCS and TRC, are Ziaur Rehman resident of Faisalabad and Rohail Shahzad, Sarfaraz Gulfam, Mirza Saim Baig resident of Gujarat. Speaking on the occasion, Hafiz Ece Yilmazturk from Turkish Red Crescent said relations between Pakistan and Turkish are time-tested. She thanked PRCS for the cooperation to mitigate the sufferings of vulnerable communities. On this occasion, commemorative shields and souvenirs were also presented to the guests of Turkey.

January 20, 2023

PRCS Organizes International and National Donors Conferences for Flood Victims

Karachi, January 20, 2023 (PPI-OT):President Dr Arif Alvi says rehabilitation of the victims is no less than a challenge; national-level aid organizations, especially Pakistan Red Crescent Society, have done valuable work; says winter and other problems have increased the difficulties and victims living in temporary shelters are looking to the international community. Sardar Shahid Ahmed Laghari says the Red Crescent has gone above and beyond and is now focusing on the resettlement and reconstruction phase, PRCS, in collaboration with its partners, will strengthen government initiatives and will ensure the rehabilitation of flood victims.

Qadir Patel says Pakistan’s share in carbon emissions is negligible and we need justice for the damages caused by climate change a large number of victims, says families are facing health issues and they are looking for aid.

Islamabad: Pakistan has been suffering from natural disasters for the past 3 decades. After the terrible floods, recovery and reconstruction is no less than any challenge, national level aid organizations, especially Pakistan Red Crescent Society, have done valuable work. We are grateful for the assistance from international organizations and friendly countries, but the difficulties have not decreased and we need to develop and adopt a comprehensive strategy to coup up with this gigantic challenge, President Dr Arif Alvi said this while addressing International and National Donors Conference organized by Pakistan Red Crescent Society here today.

Dr Arif Alvi said that the government is making every possible effort to speed up the reconstruction and rehabilitation works. Highlighting the importance and usefulness of first aid, the President said that the Red Crescent should be equipped to provide first aid training to every individual. He said there is a dire need to have a first aider in every house who can save precious lives in times of need. “Diseases caused by polluted water, living in camps in severe winter and other problems have increased the difficulties and victims living in temporary shelters are looking to the international community”, Dr Arif Alvi added.
The President urged the international community and donor agencies to generously donate funds for the rehabilitation and resettlement of the victims and for the construction of infrastructure.

PRCS Chairman Sardar Shahid Ahmad Laghari, while delivering the welcome speech on this occasion, said that since the first day, the Red Crescent has been in the service of flood victims and playing its fullest and effective role in relief operations. “The Red Crescent has gone above and beyond and is now focusing on the resettlement and reconstruction phase, PRCS, in collaboration with its partners, will strengthen government initiatives and will ensure the rehabilitation of flood victims”, Shahid Laghari added.

Sardar Shahid Ahmad Laghari said that PRCS is proud of its Movement Partners and together we will continue our relief efforts until the rehabilitation and resettlement of the last affected family. He urged the international communities and donor agencies to provide funding support to PRCS for its relief efforts for flood-hit population. Federal Health Minister Abdul Qadir Patel said that Pakistan’s share in carbon emissions is negligible and we need justice for the damages caused by climate change. PRCS and its movement partners have carried out enviable relief activities. A large number of victims are facing health issues and they are looking for aid. He said PRCS has made significant progress and earned name under the leadership of Sardar Shahid Ahmed Laghari.

NDMA’s Umar Chatha briefed the participants on devastation caused by floods and the measures undertaken by NDMA. PRCS Secretary General Abibullah Khan briefed the participants on PRCS relief activities and future plans. IFRC Interim Head of Delegation Don Johnston Murphy also spoke on this occasion. The conference was attended by officials from ICRC, IFRC, delegates of Partner National Societies, ambassadors, high commissions, philanthropists, stakeholders, governance and management of provincial branches and other imminent personalities. On this occasion, the Federal Health Minister Qadir Patel and NDMA representative Umar Chatta were also presented with Red Crescent commemorative shields.

January 6, 2023January 7, 2023

PRCS and ICRC distributed personal hygiene packages to inmates at Karachi’s Central Jail for Women

Karachi, January 06, 2023 (PPI-OT):Pakistan Red Crescent-Sindh, with the support of the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), under the Restoring Family Links (RFL) program, distributed a package of personal hygiene among Afghan female and children’s inmates at the Central Prison for Women and Correctional Facilities and Youthful Offenders Industrial School Karachi.

Prisons and Correctional Facilities Kazi Nazir Ahmed and Provincial Secretary PRCS-Sindh Kanwar Waseem distributed 123 hygiene packages to women and children and 68 wrapping blankets to minors. DIG Women and Juvenile Prisons Sindh Madam Sheeba Shah and RFL Manager PRCS-Sindh Muzammil Rahim also attended the event. The hygiene package included clothes, shoes, a hygiene kit, towels, socks, sanitizer, detergent, a women’s dignity kit, milk, a feeder, books, stationery, etc.

At the distribution ceremony, IG Prisons Sindh’s Kazi Nazir Ahmed thanked PRCS and the ICRC for their support. IG further said that the growing number of prisoners of Afghan origin has also increased the need for hygiene items, and support from PRCS is helping us address this need in a timely manner.

While visiting the jail, PRCS-Sindh Provincial Secretary Kanwar Waseem appreciated the facilities provided by the authorities to the inmates. He stated that PRCS always keeps a step ahead when there is a need on humanitarian grounds.