Several non-governmental organisations (NGOs), engaged in relief work in the drought-hit Tharparkar, demanded of the government to ensure provision of clean drinking water to the inhabitants of Thar on priority. Describing water shortage as the main problem of the famine-affected people of Thar, senior manager of Al-Khidmat Foundation, Manzar Alam, urged the government to take immediate measures to overcome the water scarcity problem of Thar.
Talking to Business Recorder, he opined that provision of basic amenities was the responsibility of government whereas the NGOs could only help provide relief work in case of any emergency. "If government doesn't develop water supply system in Thar, this problem will continue to persist forever," he added.
Dr Shamim Nasir of Khwaja Ghareeb Nawaz Trust accused the government and some NGOs of not making serious efforts in carrying out relief operation on war-footing basis in Thar. According to officials of different NGOs, their volunteers who have been working day-and-night to help provide relief to the people of Thar, initially send the relief goods to Mithi area and from there it is further transported to other far-flung areas. Claiming that women and children are the worst sufferers owing to shortage of food, representatives of the NGOs urged the government to make serious efforts to avert this situation in future.