Letter to the Editor 9-15-22

PAKISTAN NEEDS YOUR HELP

Dear Editor,

The devastating floods in Pakistan have displaced millions of residents and families. As the crisis continues to unfold, officials have called on the international community for the resources needed to deliver critical basic necessities such as food and shelter. If you are looking for ways to contribute, The Boston Foundation (TBF) has published a Giving Guide on its website on organizations that can receive assistance to help those in need.

Pakistan Flood Relief: A TBF Giving Guide

Extreme flooding has decimated communities in Pakistan and killed more than 1,000 people, many of them children. Millions more have been displaced; their homes destroyed. Crops have been ravaged, heightening concerns of malnutrition. Government and nonprofit organizations say the return to normal will take years. As the crisis continues to unfold, officials have called on the international community for aid. Here are some organizations you can support with your donation:

• The Citizens Foundation: The Citizen’s Foundation is providing support to the communities most acutely impacted by the flooding while raising awareness of the crisis among non-Pakistanis. Focused on the millions left homeless, TCF is working to address their most pertinent needs like food, shelter, and medicine. 

• Humanity & Inclusion: Humanity & Inclusion’s teams have been present in Pakistan for decades, having implemented humanitarian projects across multiple districts. Currently, the staff is working on distributing food and basic household goods such as hygiene supplies, blankets and kitchen items.

• IRC: The International Rescue Committee has been active in Pakistan since 1980 and has launched an emergency response to provide immediate assistance in Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan through dispatching food supplies and setting up medical response centers to assist people impacted by the floods.

• International Medical Corps: The International Medical Corps has been operating in the country since 1985. The organization is focused on providing medical care and supplies, mental health support, as well as water, sanitation, and hygiene services. 

• Mercy Corps: Mercy Corps is working in the hard-hit province of Baluchistan, providing food, water, and funds to those affected. 

• Save the Children: Save the Children has been working in Pakistan since 1979. The organization is providing shelter, schooling, food and cookware to affected areas.

• Shahid Afridi Foundation: Founded by Pakistani cricket player Shahid Afridi, the Foundation is providing support to flood-affected residents through the distribution of food, tents, blankets, clothes, and other essential items.  

• UNICEF: The United Nations Children’s Fund is working to provide health services, and water and hygiene kits to affected families. The agency is also setting up temporary education centers.

At critical times, The Boston Foundation prepares giving guides to help both TBF donors and others find ways to support nonprofits taking on critical issues – locally, nationally and internationally.

Donations can be made on the websites of these organizations.

I hope that you will consider donating to one or more of them as I will be doing.

Thank you,

Bill Schmidt