Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is uplifting goods free of cost from all of its international and domestic destinations for the flood victims, giving preference to these operations over its commercial ones. So far, 213,134 kg of relief goods has been transported by PIA from its domestic and international stations, of which 23,187kg have been transported from international stations, which include Toronto, Frankfurt, London and Birmingham.
The items uplifted include: water boat engines, medicines, ORS, survival kits, dry milk, biscuits, dry food rations, drinking water, tents, new clothing, medical supplies and utensils etc. Donors can also assist by contributing a 'family pack' of size 15" x 15" x 12" which shall contain high-energy food and liquids to help sustain a four-member family/group for two to three days.
The contents of this pack shall be: 2 bottles of water (1.5 litres), 2 x 6 pack of juices (250 ml), 3 high-energy packet biscuits, 1 milk pack (1 litre), 1 packet of dates, 2 anti septic soap bars, 1 bottle of mosquito repellent, 1 pack of paper cups, 6 sachets of ORS (Oral Re-hydration Salts) and 1 box of chocolates.
The donated food items, packed in specified boxes, will be transported free of cost by PIA and will be handed over to Pakistan Army for onward distribution among the flood-affected people in the country. PIA is now using its network, set-up and offices to ferry the relief goods from abroad. Information pertaining to relief goods operation and PIA offices and telephone numbers are available on the airlines' web-site www.piac.aero.
Collection and helpdesks have also been established at all stations of PIA network to facilitate the donors. PIA's Emergency Response Centre is working 24/7 to maintain close liaison with all stations to streamline logistics.
Donors/NGOs can contact PIA ERC at Karachi (021-99044372) and PIA offices in Pakistan namely PIA Cargo Terminal Islamabad (051-99024388), Lahore Cargo Terminal (042-99240770), Peshawar Cargo Terminal (091-99213342), Quetta Cargo Terminal (081-99203861) and Karachi Cargo Terminal (021-99047202) for information pertaining to free transportation of relief goods.