Press Release: Saturday, 26 November 2005, (13th Maghar, Samvat 537 Nanakshahi)
UNITED SIKHS meet with UN in Quake-Affected Pakistan
Supplies Continue to be Distributed in Bagh and Garhi Habib Ullah (North West Frontier)
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UNITED SIKHS helping in the distribution of goods to quake victims.
Bagh, Pakistan: UNITED SIKHS joined a humanitarian coalition established by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), and met with United Nations officials and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the earthquake-affected region of Bagh, Pakistan on Monday. The aim of the coalition is to increase accountability in the activities of NGOs in the region, and ensure co-operation between the organisations. Volunteers also continue to distribute essential supplies to the Bagh and Garhi Habib Ullah.
The United Nations continues to supply and co-ordinate relief to the earthquake-stricken regions of Pakistan. As part of its agenda, the UN OCHA has set up coalitions in affected areas, which NGOs and other organisations are encouraged to attend to ensure that are working in the region do not duplicate each other's efforts, and are accountable for their work. UNITED SIKHS attended the Co-ordination Meeting in Bagh, as part of its continuing efforts in the area. Gurvinder Singh, UNITED SIKHS GHANAIA team leader in Pakistan, said "we welcome such opportunities as accountability is incredibly important in disaster-relief situations.
UNITED SIKHS volunteers unloading truck of relief material in Garhi Habib Ullah.
It is integral to the long-term sustainability of the relief effort and the development of the region."
Vital supplies, including food rations, clothes and household goods, were delivered to Chatar Number 2, in the district of Bagh. UNITED SIKHS volunteers helped at a dispensary in the area, organising a system to increase efficiency as well as distributing supplies and checking-in patients. Volunteers continue to liase with NGOs and other organisations in the area, in order to increase efficiency by highlighting current provisions and demands. Abdul Razaq, a graduate from a college in Bagh stated "we are delighted to see UNITED SIKHS in this area, as it has been largely neglected by the government and it is reassuring to know the world does care".
While distributing supplies in Garhi Habib Ullah, volunteers were told "UNITED SIKHS is the only NGO that has delivered on its promise of offering and delivering assistance". Unfortunately the current need of the earthquake survivors remains increasingly great and there is and will be much work to do over the coming months.
Issued by:
Meerat Kaur
Director
UNITED SIKHS
Tel: 1-888-243-1690
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