Rehabilitation & reconstruction require longer-term commitments, enormous resources: Masood Khan
WASHINGTON, Oct 07 (SABAH): Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Sardar Muhammad Masood Khan has said that rehabilitation and reconstruction in Pakistan would require longer-term commitment of the international community, development partners and philanthropic organizations across the globe. “It would take years to rebuild Pakistan after massive devastation caused by floods of biblical proportions,” Masood Khan said.
The Ambassador made these remarks while talking to a delegation of US based Muslim humanitarian organizations who are actively involved in mobilizing community support in the United States for the flood affectees of Pakistan. The delegation included representatives of Islamic Relief USA, Zakat Foundation, Al-Khidmat Foundation, Helping Hand USA, Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA) and others.
Sardar Masood Khan lauded US based Muslim humanitarian organizations for their untiring efforts and generous support towards relief and rescue operations in Pakistan. He also appreciated the generosity of American philanthropists and non-Muslim organizations that have stepped forward and were contributing towards relief activities.
Discussing immediate requirements of the flood affected areas, Masood Khan said that dewatering equipment, water purification plants, blankets, bedding and warm clothes, especially in view of winter season, would greatly help in alleviating miseries of the displaced population.
The Ambassador also thanked United Nations, US government, members of the US Congress and Senate and other dignitaries including global media for its solidarity and highlighting immense sufferings of the flood affectees.
Halal Demir, Executive Director of Zakat Foundation said that around 3.5 million Muslims residing in the United States were standing beside their brothers and sisters in Pakistan at this difficult hour. He informed that American Muslim Humanitarian Forum has been established to collectively respond to the needs of the floods affectees.
Anwar Khan, President Islamic Relief USA, informed the meeting that his organization has collected $5.5 million for the flood affectees. He further said that Islamic Relief would collect $15 million each from USA, Canada and UK for provision of relief to the affected population.
Shakoor Alam, Chairman Aghosh Al-Khidmat USA, apprised the meeting that Al-Khidmat had provided 21 filtration plants in the flood affected areas to provide clean drinking water to the displaced population. He said that Al-Khidmat Foundation was focusing on provision of seeds, pesticides and other support to the farmers enabling them to rebuild their lives. He also said that Al-Khidmat Foundation was working on low-cost housing project as part of its rehabilitation plans.
Asif Khan, Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations for Helping Hand USA, informed the Ambassador that his organization was contributing $8.5 million for the flood affectees. He said that 50 containers carrying support in kind have been booked for Pakistan. Asif Khan said that Helping Hand was working in 85 districts of Pakistan and providing relief to the affected population. He also pledged $15 million in cash and $15 million in kind support for the flood affectees.
Arif Mehmood, President and CEO Muslim Response said that his organization was working in Southern Punjab providing hygiene material, food and clean water to the displaced population. He said that the organization was expanding its services to the Sindh province and was promoting economic activities especially for youth and women.
The meeting was informed that renowned American organizations and US tech companies were also generously contributing towards relief activities.
Ambassador Masood Khan thanked the delegation for their efforts and generous support. He informed the participants that leading US companies, corporate entities and humanitarian organizations were also being engaged to partner in relief activities.
The Ambassador urged the participants to engage community leaders, opinion makers and humanitarian organizations to garner maximum support for the flood effected population. It was decided to hold quarterly meeting of the humanitarian organizations, with Ambassador Masood Khan in chair, to review the progress made towards mobilizing community support for post-flood rehabilitation and reconstruction phase.