Pakistan Relief
We at Zohra Foundation are a charity organisation which is dedicated to improving health, hygiene and hunger for vulnerable communities in Pakistan.
Following the devastating floods which plagued Pakistan during its monsoon season in 2022, we are responding to the crisis and doing all we can to support those affected with our Pakistan relief effort.
Read on to discover why it is important to provide humanitarian aid to Pakistan and help our brothers and sisters who are in urgent need of financial assistance.
Why does Pakistan need relief?
Pakistan is the 5th most populous country in the world, with a population exceeding 232.5 million. The country also hosts millions of Afghan refugees who have been forced to flee their homes. This places enormous pressure on essentials such as food supplies, water systems, medical care and education, to cater to a growing population.
Yet, around 1 in 4 Pakistanis are currently too poor to meet basic needs. Food insecurity and chronic hunger and thirst are rife across vulnerable communities. This is particularly rough for pregnant and breastfeeding women, who risk passing on infections and illnesses to their children if they themselves are under-nourished.
Maternal mortality is high in Pakistan, as is infant mortality. Due to a lack of regular, nutritious meals, many children die before they reach their fifth birthday. Malnourished children often develop health issues and physical disabilities as a result of stunted growth.
The South Asian country also has a water crisis. Over 80% of the population faces severe water scarcity, while 79 million people do not have access to a clean toilet. This forces millions of people to drink contaminated water and defecate openly, instead- which increases the likelihood of developing infections and severe illnesses.
Additionally, there is currently a huge energy crisis in Pakistan, as the cash-strapped country can no longer afford to buy coal or natural gas from overseas to fuel its power plants. This is causing hours-long electricity shortages, with rural areas experiencing power cuts for over 8 hours a day- which is crippling for households and for the economy.
Sadly, Pakistan is also one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world- it experiences frequent earthquakes, floods, landslides, cyclones and droughts. This unfortunately means that the citizens are more likely to be exposed to hazards, infectious diseases, economic losses and potentially losing their loved ones, their homes and their livelihoods.
Pakistan is responsible for less than 1% of the planet’s greenhouse gas emissions, yet the country is one of the worst affected by climate change. As the planet warms up, this is causing more rainfall, extreme weather conditions and the melting of glaciers in Pakistan.
This, in turn, is leading to more disasters like floods and heatwaves in Pakistan, showing how the people of Pakistan are bearing the brunt of the global climate emergency.
As you can see, Pakistan is a country which urgently requires humanitarian aid. It is a low-income, developing nation which is striving to lift people out of poverty and difficult financial circumstances.
But, Pakistan can’t do this alone. The vulnerable people in Pakistan desperately need financial assistance, to repair their lives, following the devastating 2022 floods.
How did the 2022 floods exacerbate the situation in Pakistan?
In Pakistan, the monsoon season of 2022 saw unprecedented levels of rainfall, which caused flash flooding across the region. This has created a humanitarian crisis in the country.
The country requires tens of billions to rebuild after the catastrophic floods. There are thousands of families who have lost everything they had in the floods, especially if they were dependent on agricultural income.
The flooding has:
- submerged 1/3 of the country underwater- and it will take months for the floodwaters to recede.
- caused $14.9 billion in damages and $15.2 billion in economic losses
- claimed the lives of over 1,700 people (including over 520 children) and injured thousands.
- pushed millions of people to the brink of poverty.
- displaced tens of thousands of people and forced them to flee their homes and neighbourhoods.
- polluted water sources and destroyed water supply lines, forcing people to drink contaminated water.
- destroyed villages, homes, buildings, roads, bridges, hospitals, and places of worship.
- damaged or destroyed 26,632 schools
- washed away hectares and hectares of farmland, as well as crops.
- killed over 1.2 million livestock and impacted the supply of animal products such as milk and meat
- left millions of people without their incomes, their livelihoods and assets.
- caused widespread shortages of food and essential supplies such as warm clothing.
- left millions of people without urgent medication, medical treatment and medical supplies.
- caused the spread of dangerous diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, dengue fever and malaria.
- disrupted the education of children, young people and students.
- resulted in widespread open defecation, due to a lack of sanitation facilities.
- resulted in high inflation, which is disproportionately impacting the poor.
- hiked up food prices.
- increased public debt.
Does the UK give aid to Pakistan?
In 2021, Pakistan was the UK’s third biggest recipient of foreign aid, behind Afghanistan and Nigeria, receiving £128 million in humanitarian assistance.
Following the 2022 floods, the UK is contributing £26.5 million in humanitarian aid to Pakistan.
What Pakistan relief projects does Zohra Foundation do?
Food, water, shelter and essential supplies
Zohra Foundation provides food packages, cooked meals, clean water and kitchen utensils to people living in impoverished conditions in Pakistan. We are also providing shelter, tents and hygiene kits to those affected by the 2022 floods, to help restore normality in their lives.
Medical aid
Zohra Foundation has been providing free medical aid in Pakistan for over 5 years. Our medical packs, volunteer nurses and doctors travel across Pakistan to provide lifesaving medical treatment to thousands of men and women.
Our teams offer free health screenings, free medication and free follow-up visits to help detect and manage common diseases that affect the elderly. This includes home visits, carrying out medical procedures, and supporting families of patients with ongoing counselling and medical advice.
Shelter and essential supplies
At Zohra Foundation,
Click here to support the Zohra Foundation Shelter campaign and help provide a roof over the heads of Pakistan’s most vulnerable communities.
‘Adopt a Grandparent’ scheme
Zohra Foundation runs an ‘Adopt a Grandparent’ scheme, to provide free medical treatment, food and shelter to the elderly.
The elderly in Pakistan are reliant on others to survive. Even those who live alone need financial support for food and medical treatment.
Elderly people are often forced to live in silence and manage health issues that could be improved or treated with medicine. Many of the elderly give up hope and today, the suicide rate and depression amongst the elderly are rapidly increasing in Pakistan.
With our ‘Adopt a Grandparent Scheme’, for just £25 a month, you can provide the basic necessities to support an elderly person and relieve their caregivers of the financial burden.
Donating to an elderly person will offer them an opportunity to live their final days with the respect, dignity and honour that they deserve.
Care for orphans and children in poverty
There are thought to be around 4 million orphaned children in Pakistan. Losing one or two parents can throw a child’s future into jeopardy.
In many cases, children are forced to beg in the streets or work in menial jobs to survive, which puts them at risk of abuse and robs them of education opportunities.
At Zohra Foundation, our Orphan Care Appeal ensures that orphans and impoverished children can access the essentials that they need to survive. Our aim is to provide 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 orphan child and support to their caregivers. Give these vulnerable children an opportunity to have a better life with the dignity which they deserve.
It is our responsibility to care for orphans and we must not neglect those in need.
Click here to read our blog article on ‘how to sponsor an orphan in Pakistan?’
Dementia care
Here at Zohra Foundation, we provide dementia care for patients in need. Our dedicated dementia care team in Pakistan travel across the country to provide free psychological and medical support to patients.
We help individuals maintain their physical and cognitive well-being, and we educate caregivers about the progressive nature of the disease and consider how it can be managed at home. Without our dedicated nurses and doctors, thousands of elderly people in the country would be left neglected, isolated and struggling.
Eye camps
At Zohra Foundation, we run eye camps for vulnerable communities across Pakistan. Our trained team members carry out routine eye exams to treat existing conditions and prevent further damage. We also offer free eye surgery and free glasses, to correct near and far-sighted impairment.
Click here to donate to our Eye Camps campaign, and give the gift of sight today.
Your donations mean that there will be greater awareness of eye health issues among the wider community, which will help elderly people get the medical treatment they need.
Why donate to Zohra Foundation?
All projects at Zohra Foundation are Zakat eligible. You can choose to make a one-off donation or donate on a monthly basis.
Click here to view the Zakat Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and find out more.
There are so many teachings in Islam which emphasise the importance of donating to charity, for example:
“The believer’s shade on the Day of Resurrection will be his charity”. [Hadith of Prophet SAW].
These beautiful quotes show you the importance of giving to charity- it allows you to earn the pleasure of Allah SWT, increase blessings in your life, and safeguard yourself on the Day of Resurrection.
Sadaqah Jariyah (continuous charity) is also an act which is very pleasing to God. The Messenger of Allah said: “When a man dies, all his good deeds come to an end except three: ongoing charity (Sadaqah Jariyah), beneficial knowledge and a righteous son who prays for him.”
Therefore, Sadaqah Jariyah is an excellent way to reap countless rewards for years to come. It is a truly impactful gesture, as it makes a huge difference for vulnerable communities.
Your Sadaqah Jariyah can help support multiple generations of a needy family, to help with their health, hunger and hygiene needs.
Donate
Zohra Foundation is a London-based, UK-registered charity organization 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.
Our teams are currently delivering emergency relief across Pakistan, following the devastating floods of summer 2022.
Donate to Zohra Foundation’s Pakistan Flood appeal here.
Support our Pakistan relief projects on medical aid, dementia camps and eye camps here.
Click here to support our ‘Adopt a Grandparent’ scheme or orphan sponsorship scheme.
To learn more about Zohra Foundation, visit the website here.
To read articles on our blog, click here.