Alkhidmat Foundation announces Rs 500 million assistance package for the earthquake affectees of Turkiye & Syria

LAHORE, Feb 13 (SABAH): Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan has announced Rs 500 million assistance package for the earthquake affectees of Turkiye and Syria.

This was announced during the press conference at the Lahore Press Club, which was held regarding the situation arising after the Turkiye and Syrian earthquake and ongoing relief activities of Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan.

The press conference was addressed by Secretary General Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan Syed Waqas Jaffery and Managing Director of Alkhidmat Global Shahid Iqbal.

Syed Waqas Jaffery said that Alkhidmat Foundation has started campaign titled “Qarz Bhe—Farz Bhe” for speeding up the relief activities. He said that Alkhidmat Foundation has started the relief activities with Rs 500 million for the earthquake affected brothers and sisters of Turkiye and Syria. He said 6,200 tents, 25,000 blankets, 10,000 tarpaulin sheets and 300 tonns food items are being dispatched to Turkiye and Syria. 

He said that Alkhidmat Foundation immediately after the earthquake had started provision of cooked food, food packages, warm clothes, tent and blankets with the help of partner organizations. He said that Turkiye and Syria are our brotherly countries and we have longstanding ties with both countries. He said Turkiye in every difficult time has generously supported Pakistan and now it is our duty to help Turkiye in the testing time. He said that Alkhidmat Foundation is in contact with the Turkish Embassy in Pakistan and Turkish relief organizations and continuing every possible help of the Turkish and Syrian earthquake affectees.

Managing Director Alkhidmat Global Shahid Iqbal said that Vice President Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan Muhammad Abdul Shakoor is visiting Turkiye and Syria to monitor the relief activities and also taking part in relief activities in affected areas in coordination with Turkish government, relief organizations, Pakistani students and business community. He said on the desire of Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) of Turkish Interior Ministry, the 47-member search and rescue team of Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan is also present in the earthquake affected areas of Turkiye. He said that this team has been named after Pak 10 by AFAD. 

This step has been taken with the consultation of the Turkish Embassy in Islamabad and Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TiKA) Pakistan. Three teams of Alkhidmat volunteers are working in the field in two shifts.