Girl Guides help displaced families in Pakistan

The devastation caused by heavy rain and flooding in most of Pakistan has killed more than a thousand people and left six million people in need of immediate assistance. More than 20 million people are affected by the disaster. Thousands of homes, schools and hospitals have been swept away and crops have been lost. The UN World Food Programme is battling to reach the flood victims with bad weather conditions and devastated infrastructure.

The Pakistan Girl Guides Association (PGGA) is currently providing food in the relief camps and coordinating services with the District Coordination Officers. They are also setting up a fund to help effected people, as well as implementing a community project; “Apna Ghar banao” (Build your own home).

What can you do

There are several ways Member Organizations, Girl Guides and Girl Scouts around the world can show support and compassion for their sister Guides in Pakistan and the Pakistan people generally.

1. Contribute to the Pakistan Relief Cell account, the details of which are listed below:

Bank and  Branch : Habib Bank Ltd. Industrial Area Branch, Sector I-9, Islamabad. Name of the Account : Pakistan Girl Guides Association, Relief Cell Account Account No (Dollar Account) : 0296-900089710 Swift Code (Amount in GBP): HABBGBZL Swift Code (Amount in other currencies): HABBPKKA

2. Write your messages of support in the comments section below so that Pakistan Girl Guides can receive your well wishes

As the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts is not an expert disaster relief agency or disaster fund co-ordinator, we are not setting up a special fund for Pakistan. We believe your contributions will be more effectively managed and distributed by the Pakistani Girl Guides and expert disaster agencies.

Other disaster relief funds

• Disasters Emergency Committee- Pakistan Floods Appeal 
• Oxfam- Pakistan floods response 
• UNICEF
• Red Cross Pakistan Floods Appeal
• The UN World Food programme

Tradition of service

Pakistan Girl Guides have always been active helping their communities in emergency situations. Last May, Pakistan Girl Guides Relief and Rehabilitation cell took emergency measures to help refugees in Swat and Buner. Members of the Association visited camps to explore the needs of the refugees and also got in touch with other organizations to extend relief to displaced people. The staff of Pakistan Girl Guides Association also contributed one day’s salary.

In July 2010, the members of PGGA distributed family packs to flood victims, which include food items, clothes, toiletries, bedding and utensils in three districts. In addition to giving immediate relief, they have also set up educational and recreational activities for children to help them recover from the trauma.

The PGGA has also been working on a ‘Skill Development Programme’ for the women at a work centre where women are supported to obtain work and earn money. Those who have learned cutting and sewing are being provided a sewing machine and related equipment to earn livelihood within their homes.

The rehabilitation programme also included health, hygiene, environment, education and awareness campaigns, with 1,265 people have so far benefiting from the project.