Relief goods earmarked for flood affected people are freely available in the market of the twin cities raising serious concerns about the efficacy of the distribution mechanism, a survey conducted by Business Recorder revealed.
Tents, quilts, blankets, sleeping bags, tarpaulin sheets, medicines and food items are available in the open market bearing stamps of different relief organisations; and no action has so far been taken to apprehend those engaged in such activity, different political leaders and businessmen when contacted stated on Monday.
Senator Zahid Khan, spokesman of Awami National Party (ANP) while talking to this scribe said that international NGOs are not visiting the flood affected areas and are giving relief items to local NGOs, which are being run by relatives and friends of political leaders who are engaged in serious irregularities in distribution of relief goods.
He said that a local NGO, Lawari Humanitarian Organisation (LHO) and international NGO ACTED were distributing food items purely on the basis of party affiliations. He alleged that the son of a federal minister is heading the LHO, which is providing relief goods only to workers of the Pakistan People's Party. "I have proof of PPP leaders' favouritism in the distribution of relief items and will soon meet the President and Prime Minister and apprise them of the genuine grievances of the flood affectees," Khan added.
The presence of relief goods in open market speaks volumes about the failure of the government in devising a transparent and appropriate mechanism for distribution of relief goods among affected people, said a trader in Rawalpindi's Chota Bazaar.
The shopkeeper admitted that some people have sold stamped relief goods in bulk to them that include tents, blankets, quilts and other commodities. They said that they know these are illegal but they have to feed their families as well in these hard times.
The markets of all the major cities close to flood hit areas are filled with relief goods and people are visiting these markets to purchase these high quality goods, said an official of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on condition of anonymity.
He said that there are thousands of people especially in remote areas and villages who have yet to receive any relief assistance as a consequence. He said many affected people had complained to the media that the goods provided by the government are dumped in stores by the District Co-ordination Officers (DCOs) and administrators while the needy are begging for a loaf of bread for their families in these difficult times.
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