Taunsa Pakistan Flood Appeal

You will have seen the horrific news and images as a result of the ongoing devastating floods in Pakistan. These are the worst floods in the history of the country. Initial estimates show one third of the country is underwater with 33 million affected, thousands of lives lost, many more injured and at the risk of disease.

My name is Azhar and I am a retired doctor living in London. I was born and brought up in the area of Taunsa Sharif, (near to Tibi Qaisrani and Wahowa) and lived there until I was 24. I know the area very well, not just our village but the surrounding 20-30 villages. I continue to have close links to the area as our extended family live there and we visit on average once a year.

This area has been severely affected. Many villages have been washed away, houses and crops completely destroyed and livestock lost.

People of this already poverty stricken area are desperate, without clean water, shelter and food let alone the loss of their livelihood. Due to the huge remote and underdeveloped nature of the area we worry it will be the last to receive any aid. The Pakistani state also does not have the resources nor ability to deal with such a disaster.

My plan is to raise as much money as possible to personally deliver as cash, ideally into the hands of the women of the families affected, to help them start to rebuild their lives. I will go there (fully at my own expense) before the end of this year when access to the villages becomes possible . I will then travel with local people from village to village to assess the needs of victims, considering what each family has lost (homes, crops, livestock) and the size of the family. I hope to spread the money as widely as possible to help the maximum number of families. I will keep accurate records of the recipients and the amounts given for the purposes of probity. I am not raising money for my immediate family but for the surrounding villages which are worse affected.

Any size of donation is gratefully appreciated. My estimates show how your money can help.

1 week's food for a family of four: £10

1 goat: £30-40

Medical treatment for flood related illnesses for one person: £50

Building a simple brick room for one family: £500

I know your generosity will make a real difference by helping people take the first steps toward rebuilding their lives.