Representatives of civil society in Pakistan have started their practical support for the flood relief efforts in different parts of the country. "Looking at the desperate situation the government is facing today, we realised that this gigantic task can only be tackled if everyone pitches in with whatever resources we have", said Asif Farooki, Chairman of Waste Busters an environmental organisation primarily working in the field of sanitation.
Waste Busters has organised two camps, one in Dera Ghazi Khan and the other in Charsadda. Each camp is housing 500 families consisting of 6-8 persons. "Currently, we are providing food ration including atta, ghee, daal, tea, sugar, milk and water for one month for each family plus a tent for their shelter".
These are immediate steps to relieve some of the basic problems of hunger and shelter, however, there is a need to look beyond the current catastrophe and see what is to be done for the rehabilitation of these millions of people. He said the sheer magnitude of this crisis is humbling when you actually go and see the situation on ground. People are comparing it to the Earth Quake in 2005 whereas the number of people affected by the floods is 10 times bigger.
Farooki said Waste Busters is soliciting support from their network throughout the world, a special campaign has been launched on Facebook for the international community and specifically the Pakistanis living abroad to help out their brethren in this time of need.
Most overseas Pakistanis are sceptical of giving their donations to the government and are looking for other means by which they can directly help the people who have been affected. Civil society organisations such as Waste Busters are one of many organisations who have volunteered for this effort.-PR