Press Release: Tuesday, 15 November, 2005 (2nd Maghar, 537Nanakshahi)

UNITED SIKHS Delivers Medical Aid to Quake Victims in Battgram, Pakistan

Preparations for Langgar in Bagh and Garhi Habi Ullah (North West Frontier)

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Garhi Habib Ullah, North West Frontier, Pakistan: UNITED SIKHS helped distribute much needed medical supplies last week (9th Nov) to earthquake survivor's in a camp in Battgram, Pakistan. A base camp was also set up in Garhi Habi Ullah last Sunday and food supplies were bought today to start the first langgar (Sikh community kitchen) at Bagh and Garhi Habi Ullah. To view a map of the area click here.

The truckload of supplies, along with a sought after female medical team, who provided after care for female earthquake survivors, were welcomed by 1700 survivors who live in this camp. This medical aid initiative was led by Dr Naeem Niazi, UNITED SIKHS' ground facilitator.

UNITED SIKHS has set up its base camp in Garhi Habib Ullah in collaboration with Bariatown and Maxcorp Properties of Islamabad. Dr Niazi said he was very pleased to work with the UNITED SIKHS team and he is hopeful that the Langgar will be run throughout the winter.

Mohammed Usman, Chairman of the Village Council, stated "Sikhs have a history of helping the people of this region, and we thank you for the continued efforts you are making in our time of need".

The UNITED SIKHS assessment team also visited Mangbajiri and Bagh, in West Kashmir, which are two totally devastated regions. Mangbajiri suffered from the total destruction of its primary school, which was attended by some 400 students. Raja Muhammed Azam Khan, the head teacher of the school, said "We are still in need of aid, as until now, we have not received any help. I also feel strongly that the loans that the teachers have taken on their houses and businesses against their wages should also be waived, because their houses and businesses have now been destroyed."

In Bagh the UNITED SIKHS team saw the firsthand devastation caused by the earthquake, with houses, businesses and schools completely destroyed. It was decided the need at Bagh was so great that langar camps will be set up there. Food storage plans have been initiated and preparations are being made to bring food supplies from Islamabad.

Gurvinder Singh, UNITED SIKHS GHANAIA team leader in Pakistan, said, "UNITED SIKHS is not a billion dollar humanitarian relief organisation which can solve every person's problems. What we are is a committed relief organisation which thriftily spends the donations we receive by locating and helping those most in need. This has time and again proved to be our strength, as the people we help are often in dire conditions and feel very forgotten by the outside world."

South Asian Earthquake Relief Links:

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• Gallery

Issued by:
Meerat Kaur
Director
UNITED SIKHS
1-888-243-1690

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