Pakistan earthquake

[LURCHER]

Not RIB related in any way but I have had a long association with Pakistan and am very sad to see what is happening up north after the earthquake . At the moment I am in contact with friends in Pakistan to ascetrain what they need from us , we hope to send whatever they ask for direct to them and they will make sure it gets to the people who need it . This is to cut out the many middle men who like to take a cut etc. If and when I get the list of items needed can I rely on fellow RIBNET people to root around and come up with the goods ?
I anticipate clothing blankets and sleeping bags . I will make sure it gets to the right people .
Further post to follow with the list .

Many thanks

[John Kennett]

Nice One. Keep us posted.

I'll stick this thread at the top of the page for a while to make sure evenryone see it.

John

[LURCHER]

Thanks JK

[Jimbo]

Yup, please let us know what, where and when, and I for one will do everything I can to get you the required.

I'm sure many of the guys and gals on my uni course would be happy to help as well.

[The Jackeens]

Good for you Lurcher.


As soon as you decide on a collection point let us know.

Us

[John Kennett]

In the meantime, the Disasters Emergency Committee is a good place to send cash.

The DEC is an umbrella organisation which raises funds and distributes them to its member organisations:

ActionAid
British Red Cross
CAFOD
Care International
Christian Aid
Concern
Help the Aged
Islamic Relief
Merlin
Oxfam
Save the Children
Tearfund
World Vision

To my mind the big benefit of donating to the DEC appeal, rather than directly to an individual charity, is that the DEC works to coordinate the overall effort. From the DEC FAQ:

The DEC operates a monthly draw down system. Agencies withdraw money from the DEC on a basis of actual expenditure and one month’s forward cash flow projection. Each agency has to submit plans to the DEC within 4 weeks with details of the humanitarian relief work they intend to carry out. Discussions are held on quality, potential overlap, real needs and capacity of DEC agencies. The work detailed in the agency plans must be completed within a year.

John

[eupa]

From what I understand , what they need is transport i,e Helicopters. Dont how ( we) can help on this??

Jonathan

[LURCHER]

Well I have had a reply from one of my mates in Pakistan which is interesting and revealing , I quote the gist of it here.

' From what I hear, the great need is for tents and medicines--the tents being of winter quality, waterproof and with groundsheets built in. It would be best to give cash to a well known organization like Oxfam--they usually ensure that the right things reach the right people. It is people like you who are changing the world with your concern for those you have never met. The North has been a hotbed of hatred for the west because of some rabid mullahs but now the locals can see first hand who is there to help them in time of need--and it's not the mullahs, who used to rule that area.After some very heavy snow some years ago we were called in to help . We flew sorties on the DC-3 beyond all known records in that area and must have saved many. It is such frustration to know that age prevents me from playing my part--you cross sixty and suddenly thousands of hours of mountain flying experience is worthless!'
J Sadiq DC3 DC10 B747 Captain retired PIA

So I think that if you can give something to Oxfam or DEC you will have done your bit many thanks to all .