Please Get Involved, Click here and Join UNITED SIKHS To receive forthcoming bulletins join our UNITED SIKHS Yahoo group To donate go to www.unitedsikhs.org/donate This Press Release may be read online at: https://www.unitedsikhs.org/PressReleases/PRSRLS-06-07-2009-00.htm Press Release: 6th Jul 2009, 22 Assaar (Samvat 541 Nanakshahi ) Press Release
The UNITED SIKHS relief team found that there is a shortage of food, drinking water and hygiene facilities at the campsites. The camp toilets are in a squalid condition and due to the summer heat contagious bacterial infections have increased among women and children. A significant number of women and children are suffering from diarrhea, scabies and high fever.
"The conditions at the camps are deteriorating because of the weather and the onset of the monsoons. There is an increase in cases of snake and scorpion bites. During our visit to the camp sites with the team of local doctors from the National Trust for Population Welfare (NATPOW), we learnt of the increase in the number of people requesting medicines for treating scabies, malaria, insect bites and diarrhea. The situation is aggravated by the fact that there is a shortage of female doctors to treat children and women who refuse to be attended to by male doctors. Some people have not taken a bath for more than a month," said Sundeep Singh, UNITED SIKHS Projects Media Coordinator, who returned from Pakistan this past week. Mr. Iftikhar Durrani, CEO of Pakistan’s National Trust For Population Welfare (NATPOW) commented, "The humanitarian aid to be provided needs to be more humane, we need assistance, today!"
"We need to provide IDPs with a cleaning kit that has clean towels, antibacterial soaps, bed sheets and clothing to stop the spread of contagious bacteria. There is also a dire need for a clinical facility at every camp site, especially for mothers and their children, to prevent the spread of infection in the camps," said Kuldip Singh, President, UNITED SIKHS-USA, who is coordinating fundraising efforts. He continued, "Each Mother and Child Health (MCH) clinic would cost $9,200 USD to build, maintain, and run, and we have been told that 20 clinics are needed, covering the 19 IDP camps and the IDPs staying at the Panja Sahib Gurdwara."
"UNITED SIKHS needs to raise about $215,000 USD to support our relief efforts for the needy IDPs living in the camps. We have had to revise our funding estimates to accommodate new requests for relief supplies, rehabilitation and medical emergencies. We request the public to donate generously to provide the IDPs with immediate humanitarian relief and advocacy support," said Kuldip Singh. For a full list of IDP needs that we would like to meet click here. For a previous press release on UNITED SIKHS Pakistan IDP efforts, please visit: https://www.unitedsikhs.org/PressReleases/PRSRLS-26-06-2009-00.htm Issued by: WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN, BUT WE NEED YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!
Our Mission To transform underprivileged and minority communities and individuals into informed and vibrant members of society through civic, educational and personal development programs, by fostering active participation in social and economic activity. UNITED SIKHS is also an avenue for networking between like-minded organisations to establish and nurture meaningful projects and dialogues - whether social, cultural or political- to promote harmony, understanding and reciprocity in our villages, towns and cities. UNITED SIKHS is a coalition of organisations and individuals, who share a common vision based on the belief that there is no greater endeavour than to serve, empower and uplift fellow beings. The core of our philosophy is an unwavering commitment to civic service and social progress on behalf of the common good. Accordingly, UNITED SIKHS has sought to fulfil its mission not only by informing, educating and uplifting fellow beings but also by participating in cross-cultural and political exchanges to ensure that the promises and benefits of democracy are realized by all. We at UNITED SIKHS believe that the development of enlightened and progressive societies can be made possible by socially conscious groups of people who make a commitment to develop and direct human potential. Our work, efforts and achievements stand as a testament to our faith in this vision. |