ATI working in Emergencies
OUR WORK IN EMERGENCIES:
The last few years have seen disaster after disaster. Whether it be wars, occupations or nature's force. ATI and its partners have been able to respond quickly thanks to your support. During the Kashmir and Balochistan earthquakes, we were one of the first on the scene, due to existing bases in that part of the world. Our camp at Thuri became a main distribution centre for other agencies and our volunteers worked hard to facilitate the work of others as well as our own. We managed 34 displaced persons tent villages bringing together resources from a number of different agencies and partners. Over 1000 volunteers gathered to help in a massive clean-up operation, many working throughout the night helping clear large areas. A programme of providing homes for the thousands who lost everything is now still underway.
For the floods and the cyclones in Bangladesh and Burma, ATI with your help, distributed blankets, food (parcels and hot cooked), clothes, shoes and other essentials.
In early 2009 we were able to respond quickly during the aggression in Gaza, Palestine where we were able to distribute hot and cold food and emergency medical equiptment, including hospital beds to the main As-Shifa hospital in Gaza City.
More recently, we provided emergency relief to the countless displaced people of SWAT, Pakistan who were caught in the fighting between the army and the taliban.
SEE BELOW FOR SPECIFIC FEEDBACK FROM DIFFERENT LOCATIONS
SWAT IN CRISIS - URGENT AID NEEDED
One million people have fled the SWAT valley as the Pakistani military offensive against the Taliban continued. The innocent, as usual, were the ones worst hit. Internal refugees in the hundreds of thousands occupied camps whilst others took refuge with family, friends and often well wishing strangers.
'Our team has extensive experience from the earthquake, floods and droughts --- yet this crisis has a complication of its own as the conflict is ongoing. We are seeing scores of refugees arriving in the camps. Dr Hamza Mustafai, ATI, Pakistan Country Director
ATI and its partners were on the ground immediately.
We managed the camp opposite the sugar mills in Mardan catering for 750 families (5250 persons) and distributed food, water and medical supplies. An ambulance service has been initiated, a dispensary started and women's health addressed via a Lady Health Visitor. A tented schools and play areas for children was provided in order to help bring respite back to this particularly vulnerable group.
THIS APPEAL IS STILL LIVE - PLEASE DONATE GENEROUSLY
CLICK ON THE BUTTON ABOVE TO DONATE ONLINE TODAY
****** SEE PICTURES FROM THE FIELD BELOW ******
GAZA BURNING
OVER 1000 DIED AND MANY THOUSANDS INJURED - THE PLIGHT OF THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE NEVER SEEMS TO END!!!!
Despite existing shortages of food, medicine, fuel and the most basic of supplies - the new onslaught in January left over 1000 people dead, tens of thousands injured and many more without basics. Hospitals were and are still over-run. Food was and still is in short supply and people are despirate.
"It has been bad in the past, but this is worse than ever. People are scared and hungry. The attacks seemed to have been well planned. We feel like we have been abandoned by everyone. We know this isn't really the case but that's how we feel. No-one seems to be able to help us. Please help us"
"Everyone is effected: women, children and the elderly too. Aid was delivered through windows of opportunity as they occured at the time of the onslaught but now we are getting through, alhamdulillah. We need more first aid kits, medicines, food and clean water" ATI team
This appeal is still live - please donate generously
CLICK ON THE BUTTON ABOVE TO DONATE ONLINE TODAY OR
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A POSTABLE DONATION FORM
****FOOD AND MEDICAL AID IS GETTING THROUGH ****
****** SEE PICTURES FROM THE FIELD BELOW ******
EMERGENCY APPEAL FOR BALOCHISTAN
On 29th October 2008 an earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale hit southwest Pakistan, 45 miles north of Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province. Many people were believed to be buried under rubble and at least 18 aftershocks rattled the nerves of survivors.
Described as one of the poorest provinces in the world by UN agencies, Balochistan has seen more than its fair share of catastrophes: floods, droughts, the war in Afghanistan leading to the influx of thousands of refugees and the global food crisis have left an already impoverished area in a dire state.
"Eight villages in Ziarat have been
badly affected and there are still
many areas which have not yet
been reached." said Zamrak Khan.
As in the 2005 earthquake, where
the death toll reached over 70,000,
reports arriving from hard to reach
areas will mean that the figures
will continue to rise over the
coming few days.
'Roads are blocked and many of the mud houses have collapsed. People here are desperate and even those whose homes survived do not want to return to them due to the fear of after shocks. This earthquake was only one point lesser in magnitude than the 2005 Kashmir quake. People are fearful and cold, in one village alone 80 people died and thousands have been made homeless with winter drawing in. We've mobilised our network of volunteers from all around Pakistan and are delivering emergency items of tents, blankets, stoves, medicines and cooked food to the victims, but we need a lot more support, quickly' Dr Hamza Mustafai, ATI Asia Region Manager
ATI delivering emergency aid in Balochistan for the 2008 quake:
CLICK HERE to download ATI Balochistan Appeal leaflet
ATI delivering emergency family kits, food parcels and other essentials in emergency zones (images below following Bangladesh and Burma cyclones, Dafur civil unrest and Nepal):
Emergency aid in Dafur
Nepal political strife leaves many children in need.
Food aid delivered in Bangladesh
New homes in Bangladesh for cyclone victims
On the 2nd May a catastrophic cyclone hit the agricultural and urban heartlands of Burma. Over 22,000 people have been known to have lost their lives. The crisis has hit both urban and rural areas, both densely populated and hard to reach. If the immediate crisis was not enough, the country was still recovering from the SE Asia Tsunami and one of the regions effected is often called the food basket of Burma as many rice and other staple food products are grown there. This means that the long term food supplies will be effected also, leading to ongoing suffering. As with all other disaster areas local people are driven to drinking dirty water which ends up being the biggest cause for disease and death in the medium term. Over a million people have been displaced from their homes in a disaster which is being described as being in Tsunami proportions.
ATI responded immediately, working closely with partners Burma Aid on the ground to help with the distribution of emergency items such as food, blankets, water-proof sheeting and mosquito nets. Long term the work continues with construction of new homes for those who lost theirs.
School children receive aid in Burma
Medical camp in Burma
Food packs assembled for distribution in Burma
In 2005 the magnitude 7.6 earthquake which struck early on October 8th, was the most powerful in the region for 100 years and has left over 80,000 dead and 3 million homeless. ATI offices across Pakistan, including those inside Muzzaffarabad and other affected areas were mobilised immediately. Teams are working day and night to reach and assist survivors before harsh winter snows set in and make many areas inaccessible.
ATI established a number of large camps caring for upwards of 20,000 people, providing food, shelter and medical care. Winterised tents are also being distributed in more remote areas and work has also begun on the construction of semi-permanent dwellings in preparation for winter snows. In addition to this, teams of doctors are travelling through affected areas providing medical assistance, water storage tanks and latrines are being installed and provisions supplied to affected families.
Years on - the work still continues. Every month, ATI conducts a medical camp in regions where such services are not available.
ATI In Action
For 24 years, ATI and its partners have been helping the most destitute in our societies. We have however never in the past come directly to you for help and support.
Giving a gift is the sunnah of the Prophet, peace be upon him. We all give and receive gifts for many different occasions. Why not, give a gift to the needy this year.