The Zohra foundation is here to help you understand how you can sponsor vulnerable orphans in Pakistan this Winter.
Natural disasters are unfortunately relatively common, with different occasions of flooding affecting the country 14 times in the past 30 years. This means that over the past 30 years, there has been an unprecedented amount of displacement, suffering, rebuilding and orphans.
A 2021 report by Unicef concluded there are over 4 million orphaned children in Pakistan.
Ranking 48th on the world GDP table as of 2022, this is made worse by the horrific two months of flooding that occurred in 2022, affecting the population deeply with millions being displaced and at least $30 billion needed for losses and rebuilding.
The reality is, the future generation of Pakistan is in peril, and we at The Zohra Foundation believe it is our responsibility to help. With the generous donations offered by you, we help to provide free medical treatment, food and shelter to the most vunerable (and their caregivers) in Pakistan.
As a charity that operates with our Islamic faith in mind, we always remind ourself and our donaters that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“Give sadaqah without delay for it stands in the way of calamity” (Tirmidhi)
On top of all the hardships being suffered by the people of Pakistan, the approach of winter can be especially deadly for those with no access to the basic necessities.
What winter means for orphans in Pakistan
It must be understood that with at least 30 billion dollars required for losses and rebuilding, there will be people and children who have absolutely nothing as winter approaches.
With Pakistan being predicted to be a water-scarce country by 2035, the floods have only worsened the situation, as access to water sources may have been contaminated by the result of the recent flooding.
In conjunction with this, the fall in temperature due to winter will prove to be life-threatening if the right amount of food, shelter and clothing is not afforded to orphans and those suffering.
Unfortunately, there may be people with nefarious intentions who will offer orphans shelter, food and warmth, but exploit them in exchange.
Along with these factors, the dramatic change in temperature can lead to illness, that if left untreated will result in serious illness or even death.
Pakistan needs your help now more than ever. With millions still affected by the recent flooding, with so many people losing homes, families, friends and livelihoods it can not be underestimated how much your donations can change the lives of the displaced, as well as the orphans who are now in further destitution.
We provide care for extremely poor children and particularly orphans. Our aim is to provide care and financial assistance to as many of these children as we can.
For just £25 a month you can provide free medical treatment, food and shelter to an orphaned child and support to their caregivers. Give these vulnerable children an opportunity to have a better life with the dignity that they deserve.
The current outlook
As the water recedes in some parts of Pakistan following the flooding, the challenges of survival are only made more difficult with the onset of winter.
The UN warns that about 5.7 million flood survivors will face a severe food crisis in the next three months. Since the flooding,
Mercy Corps’ is a global humanitarian charity, its country director for Pakistan, Dr. Farah Naureen, has said::
“We are gravely concerned about the long-term health and nutrition impacts and expect disease and malnutrition rates to rise. With winter approaching, there is an urgent need for winterized tents and other items to keep affected families warm and safe so they don’t develop health conditions like respiratory infections.
“I recently visited districts in Balochistan where flood waters have receded and communities are no longer living in camps. Most of them have moved back to the site of their damaged or destroyed homes, sleeping either in tents or makeshift shelters. They are waiting for support to rebuild their houses before winter arrives. Many have received immediate relief, but they need support to rebuild houses and restore income sources.
“Sindh province and other districts in Balochistan show little sign of recovery: there is still water everywhere and flood-affected communities need immediate relief. They are suffering from waterborne diseases and lack clean drinking water. Women, including pregnant and breastfeeding women, and children are in tents, and healthcare facilities are reporting a steep rise in the cases of malaria, diarrhoea, and skin infections.”
This first-hand witnessing of the troubles faced by survivors and orphans alike only serves to highlight how desperately our brothers and sisters in Pakistan need our help today.
Help us by donating
The recent flooding has created a humanitarian crisis in Pakistan. The monsoon rainfall has been catastrophic, causing roads, buildings and livestock to wash away. More than 1,700 people have sadly died in the floods, and 2 million homes have been destroyed.
Farmland, schools and hospitals are still surrounded by floodwater, and malnutrition is widespread- due to massive damage to agriculture and crops, preventing the residents from eating. Clean drinking water is also more difficult to come by as a result of the flood.
Around 7.6 million people have been displaced by the climate-driven disaster, with nearly 600,000 living in relief sites. In these relief sites, life-threatening illnesses like cholera and cerebral malaria are spreading– and there are no medications available to treat these.
The close proximity and lack of cleaning amenities for every individual, with the prospect of winter, will mean that many people living in the relief sites may fall ill and spread infection. As we saw with the COVID-19 pandemic, it does not take a lot for an outbreak to start.
People in Pakistan are in need of urgent financial support so that they can access food, clean water, shelter, sanitation, medical treatment, warm clothing and essential supplies to help them recover from this devastating crisis.
Flood victims are now facing losses in household incomes and assets, as well as rising food prices- which will potentially push 9 million more people below the poverty line.
To support people affected by the floods, we at Zohra Foundation are accepting donations to the Pakistan Flood Appeal. Any money you donate will fund emergency relief for people who are struggling to survive.
In particular, many new and existing orphans have been affected in every aspect. So your donations will provide urgent medical care, food and shelter. This will help support flood victims with their health, hygiene and hunger.
Every penny helps – donate whatever you can today to help rebuild lives and restore hope, as Pakistan braces for a harsh winter. As a charity that operates with our Islamic faith in mind, we always remind ourselves and our donators that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
“Give sadaqah without delay for it stands in the way of calamity” (Tirmidhi)
You can choose to make a one-off donation or donate on a monthly basis. By supporting Zohra Foundation with your Zakat and Sadaqah, you will be saving the life of someone in need and fulfilling your Islamic duty to care for elders.
The immediate focus for Zohra Foundation is rebuilding homes and livelihoods so that the affected people in Pakistan can move forward and restore some normality to their lives.
Sponsor orphans in Pakistan this winter
The Zohra Foundation is a UK-registered charity that aims to improve the lives of millions of orphans, widows and the elderly throughout Pakistan and respond to emergencies in other parts of the world.
Through our Adopt a Grandparent scheme, Orphan Sponsorship scheme, medical camps, social support and food aid we focus on ensuring that the poor and vulnerable population get the vital services they need to survive.
In the last five years, we have built long-term partnerships with networks of paid specialists, volunteer doctors, nurses and healthcare professionals. These relationships mean that we understand and meet the needs of the local population to deliver emergency relief across Pakistan.
By supporting the Zohra Foundation with your Zakat and Sadaqah, you can restore hope to the orphans and elderly in Pakistan.
You will give the elderly the final days they deserve; one with respect and dignity and the orphans, a better start to life.
In this article, we hope to have informed you of the plight of orphans in Pakistan this winter, as well as offer insight into the obligations Islam presents to us in regard to charitable causes.
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