Iftikhar Ali's Diary - Day 3

Today started with a visit to a hospital in Karachi. Here we saw children from flood affected areas suffering from typhoid, malaria and dengue fever (otherwise known as bonecrusher disease). We were told the cases have just started coming in and will grow in numbers.

These kids were getting immediate treatment but as the numbers grow it will become more difficult  to treat all. It was strange to think of these kids as 'lucky'.

"A kids ward with no toys" said Ivor...."I wish we had brought some toys"

Next stop was north of Karachi to another IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) camp. This was a bigger one than yesterday but out in the open with ramshackle tents housing families of 5 or sometimes 10. We helped prepare typhoid vaccinations for a hundred children as the doctors administered them. The children jostled for position, "Me first, me first...." no fear of needles here. We looked through the records but some of the children have no surnames and illiterate parents, the doctors will keep the records but with a fluid moving population of no fixed abode how can they track who has been vaccinated and who hasn't.

We walked through the camp, and spoke to a middle aged man, who was from Khairpur about 350km away. He was in the camp with his wife and nine children. "We only got our tent 3 days ago he said". In Khairpur he was a worker on the land and his boys worked on the land too. "We have lost everything, and the landowner won’t let us go back until we repay his loan."  We asked how much the loan was ....fifteen thousand rupees (GBP110). He was waiting for his watan card from the government (A card issued by the government allowing IDP's to purchase goods to the value of approx GBP735). "I just want to go back and work on the land again"

Shazad gave out some sweets to the children and this created a little noise, the reaction from our host was one of consternation. He said "It’s time to leave now" and ushered us out . The concern on his face was very visible and he later explained that an aid worker had been kidnapped from that very camp the previous day. Attracting any attention was not advisable.

Tomorrow we fly into the heart of the floods where the water is yet to recede, I do not think we are prepared for what we are about to see.

Iftikhar Ali's Diary - Day 2

We arrived in Karachi this morning.

Our first visit was to the compound of the Pakistan Medical Association, this is the body working directly with MDAUK. We inspected nutrition and shelter packs bought for distribution. MDAUK provided a short briefing to prepare ourselves for the next few days of relief work.

We then proceeded to an area just outside of Karachi where we visited an IDP (internally displaced person) camp. This was very basic shelter containing 150 families including a mix of men, women, children and the elderly. We were there to distribute shelter packs (duvets, pillows, blankets and sheets). To maintian some order a ration card system is in place. No card no pack!

Amir was a young boy of no more than 7, he had come from Jacobabad some 6 hours away with his family in search of food and shelter. Luckily his mother and father were still alive and he was the eldest of three children. I asked if he liked the camp and if he was eating well. He smiled through a weather-beaten face saying "it was acha (good) in the camp". His was a genuine smile...

We clambered on the MDAUK lorries and lowered the packs. Keeping order was the first challenge as people without cards begged for packs.No one was violent but a heart wrenching plea from a toothless old woman is difficlult to ignore. We stuck to the protocol and tried not to be emotional. But how do you refuse a 7 year old girl with one eye when she has no card and her mother is too illiterate to get one??? This is no professional beggar...this is the true destitute.

As the heat beat down and the remaining packs diminished, a sense of panic simmered in the air. Looking into the eyes of those that had gone without and no words to comfort them (or ourselves) we walked over to the second lorry.

As the crowd descended on us Dr Iftikhar, Chairman MDAUK, said these people are much calmer than the first days we came, but even now a couple of police officers entered the camp sensing the crowds disappointment. Balancing between doing the right thing, a desperate desire to help all of them and the disappointment of leaving some without we distributed the rest and left. Who was more disppointed them or us???

In the evening, we visited a hospital set up for Women suffering from obstetric fistulae. An affliction affecting some 25,000 Pakistani women per annum, during childbirth resulting in constant urination. These women were truly abandoned by all and this hospital has begun to change that dramatically  MDAUK has been instrumental in supporting this.

Tomorrow we go to a bigger flood relief camp with more supplies.

If you'd like to support our work with a donation, please do so on my just giving site.

Project Update & Ramadan 2009

Message from Chairman, Dr Syed Iftikhar Yusuf

It seemed to donors that the MDAUK charity hospital project in Tandiali (Muzaffarabad) had stalled. However, the delay has been due to stringent and a very proper planning process.

The structural, mechanical, public health and HVAC drawings have been vetted several times by NESPAK to ensure that the hospital building would be able to sustain a future earthquake up to Richter scale 9.

Furthermore, during the last twelve months tender was sought and several meetings were held between MDAUK executive members and construction companies.

The quotations from companies ranged from 1.8 million pounds to 4.3 million pounds. After proper consideration it was felt that even the lowest bid was unreasonable.

Therefore, we have had to select team members consisting of a project director, engineer, supervisor, accounts manager, driver, cook and a labour manager to construct the hospital ourselves.

The initial layout has been minimal and recoupable.

We have bought a vehicle for goods transportation, on-site diesel operated generator, water pump, compressor, vibrator, mixer and we have rented a digger on an hourly cost of Rs1800 (£13.60).

It will take approximately 50 hrs of work to complete the digging and leveling process.

Furthermore, an on-site office has been established with a wireless telephone facility.

Four guards have been recruited with the help of Mr Javed Iqbal (IG police Muzaffarabad) to protect the site which has been completely walled off as well.

Surveyors undertook the initial preparatory work between 06/07/09 till 10/07/09. Marking of the site was completed during that week and the work of digging was commenced on the 14th of July in my presence with the construction of an on-site water storage facility. Digging for the foundation has also commenced.

Following structural excavation anti-termite treatment will be put in place thereafter concreting will begin. With the grace of Allah we managed to reach this far and Inshaallah the project will come to fruition within next two years.

Aiming for the Sky!

I, along with nine others, reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in October 2008.

When the earthquake hit Northern Pakistan three years earlier, the images of devastation were very powerful and humbling. A couple of years on and I felt unsatisfied at my contribution through donating so I decided upon climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. The trip raised almost £7,500. The trek took six days and started off in dense jungle, moving through forest and heading above the cloud line. We trekked through moorland, traversing The Barranco Wall, culminating in the steep ascent up to the summit and finally completing our descent. I can say without exception it was the most difficult challenge I have set myself but worth every breathless step!

Each day would involve walking 6-7 hours, ascending on average 1000m with the exception of summit night. On this particular day/night, we walked some 7 hours during the day, slept from 7pm through to 11pm and commenced our summit night walk at midnight! We were encouraged to drink 3/4 litres of water per day and eat three hot meals per day. However, this was not always possible, particularly when we reached above 5000 metres. Altitude would cause a number of us to suffer with loss of appetite, headaches, and sickness. Our local guide set about setting a walking pace which we would adhere to throughout the trip. It was vital that we didn't walk too fast, as the higher up we got, the more difficult conditions would become.

The group had bonded very well and there was plenty of fun and laughter along the way, but we had a blow early on. We lost one of the team due to sickness which surprised us all. For a short period of time we were quite emotional and saddened that we were one down after only two days but we motivated each other to reach the summit for our departed team member. The pace of walking was nice and steady and before we knew it, summit night was almost upon us.

This was the most difficult part of the challenge. It was eerily dark, cold and most significantly, there was less oxygen in the air, breathing was noticeably more difficult. The smallest task, such as kneeling over to shore up boot laces was taxing under such conditions.

There was a moment at the beginning of our midnight ascent where I did feel the beast that is Mount Kilimanjaro had beaten me. The terrain was incredibly steep, I was breathing incredibly hard and fast, the oxygen was not getting into my lungs fast enough, altitude was taking its toll and I started to have a panic attack! However, with some fast assistance from an exceptionally well versed porter, I was able to regulate my breathing and make some speedy dua's. Not long after this temporary panic attack and (mentally) almost giving up (!) I was back in determined mode.

There were times as I looked up into the darkness, all I could see was a trail of head torch lights, at one point I could no longer distinguish between the torch lights and the stunning stars! As the night progressed and the higher we got, the more difficult breathing became. There were a number of times when we all felt very jaded.

However, with the sun beginning to rise, there was a sense relief that we were no longer in darkness and closing in on achieving our goal. As the sun rose, we knew we were not far, with this renewed hope, momentum and a steely determination we reached the summit at approx 8:15am, I dropped to my knees and gave thanks to the Almighty! We were all shattered, there were plenty of tears and when the tears passed, jubilation followed.

BRADFORD MEGA EVENT

A fundraising dinner was organised by the mdauk sub-committee in Bradford on 4th December 07 at Bradford City Football Club. 600 people attended the charity dinner and raised a MEGA £160,000. This includes a cheque for £85,000 from Bradford Telegraph and Argus.

Liverpool City - HALF MARATHON

Liverpool University students, Awes Siddique, Adil Riaz, Kaleem Khan, Hafeez Aslam, Amir Nohoom and Talah Patel will run Liverpool City Half Marathon on the morning of 25th March 07.

All sponsorship funds will go towards MDAUK Muzzaffarabad Hospital Project.

Birmingham MEGA Event

Mega event at Birmingham last night raised £80,000 ..... Thanks to Birmingham Sub-commitee members Nahaem, Nadeem, Jonny, Dr Shafiq and Waseem. The main sponsor for the event was Sapna Caterers from Southall London. We can not thank them enough for their support.


Big Thank You to Dr Rashid Bhatti, Dr Zaffar , Jang newspaper, Apna TV and Xtreme Media Zia Bhatti......

Khalid Mahmood's 'First Impression' Group performed in front of 600 people gathered in Birmigham's Renaissance Hotel. MDAUK is grateful to Khalid Mahmood and his group to participate in the charity function.