Islamic Relief Groups Take Lead in Pakistan

Nearly 4 million people have been displaced by the fighting. (IOL photo)

"With the passage of time, the government and the international agencies relief activities are dwindling," Dr. Rao Naeem, a general physician who is in charge of the relief operations for the Pakistan Islamic Medical Association (PIMA), told IslamOnline.net.

Sitting in a makeshift hospital at Jalala camp in Mardan, some 40 kilometers from Peshawar, the capital of NWFP, he says seasonal NGOs started disappearing by the end of May.

"Therefore, we have to put extra efforts to bridge this gap," asserted Dr Naeem,who has taken a leave from his hospital in Karachi and has been engaged in relief work for the last 15 days.

PIMA is running a sprawling state-of-the-art mother and child health care center at Shaikah Yaseen camp in Mardan, where all facilities including child delivery, blood bank and a laboratory have been set up.

Trained gynecologists from PIMA women wing have been deputed at the center.

"We are going to set up the second medical center at Jalala camp as the need of such well-equipped centers is increasing with every passing day," Dr Naeem maintained.

PIMA is running 16 medical centers in the shelter camps where 35 to 40 doctors are present at a time.

Doctors from all over Pakistan voluntarily take turns to work at the medical centers on regular basis.

Dr Naeem notes that PIMA has hired doctors from Swat and adjoining areas not only to ensure the presence of doctors at all times, but also to help them earn a living.

Comprehensive

Islamic relief groups are proving more comprehensive aid to the displaced people. (IOL photo)

They provide their services in and around Peshawar valley, the conglomerate of the five districts of Mardan, Noshahra, Swabi, Chasuddah and Peshawar, where several makeshift schools, hospitals, and food centers have been set up.

"We have established our network in 400 to 450 villages of Peshawar valley, where we are trying our level best to provide health, food and education facilities to the displaced persons," Naimatullah Khan, the head of Al-Khidmat Foundation, the country’s largest relief organization, told IOL.

The foundation has deputed its 5000 volunteers for relief work in and around the shelter camps.

Khan, a former mayor of Karachi, says that 50 percent of Al-Khidmat’s ambulances have been detailed at different shelter camps and adjoining villages, where displaced persons have been residing with their relatives and friends.

Al-Ghazali Education Foundation, the educational wing of Jammat-e-Islami, has established 20 makeshift schools in different shelter camps in order to enable displaced children to continue their studies.

"Such activities are very essential because children are the most sensitive segment of any society," maintains Khan.

"They can be molded very easily. Therefore, we don’t want them to be involved in any subversive activities or join hands with subversive elements."

Around 100 to 300 students have been enrolled in respective makeshift schools.

The foundation is planning to set up more schools in the near future as a majority of the displaced people is unsure about their return due to heavy fighting in their areas.

Khan, however, recognizes the daunting challenge ahead.

"No doubt we are trying our level best to meet the requirements of displaced people, but we are unable to do that because of their huge numbers," he said.

"The disinterest of the government and the international community is making the task difficult with every passing day."