As Promised, I am back with some details about our visit for the swat IDP’S relief work. Our Team had 6 People in total. 5 Doctor’s and 1 Person who had a lot of experience in working with various NGO’s across the Globe. This person helped us a lot in organizing this trip including getting some helps from International agencies. 3 of the Doctors were UK based 1 from Pakistan and 1 from US along with our team leader from NY.
We arrived from different airports and landed in Karachi. City of Lights (Once upon a time) was embedded in pitch darkness. I had to stay behind initially to make further arrangements and buy medicines etc.
Our Team flew to Islamabad and got hold of our transported packages from UK and US. We took mainly cash and some life saving surgical instruments and medicine either not available or if got donation from various sources.
With the help of our contacts in Army Medical Corps, we traveled around in different districts with our mobile camp (in three 4 x 4) which I think was a good idea as we were able to cover an extensive area)
In total we provided medical advice / Treatment to just over 3600 people with free distribution of medicines, clothes and food. We also gave some cash to people with big families for various reasons.
The Distribution of funds was as follow:
PKR: 22, 897 90.00 (Medicines)
PKR: 1, 319 67.10 Donated to a local charity consists of group of young lads from Karachi who have been working for few years.
PKR: 1, 300 00.00 (Cash distribution)
We also performed 335 minor surgical procedures with the help of our Pakistani Doctor contact who arranged a local clinic for these surgical procedures.
I won’t go into the misery of these people which we experienced during our stay but may be write at some other stage.
I would like to thank 4 People from this message board who helped us in various forms. (As I been asked not to mention their names or ID’s as they all believe in charity unlimited without the Lime Light)
We also refused to visit some High official dinner invitations with potential media coverage.
It was a Good experience but sadly a very energy draining experience both physically but also emotionally. I have left Pakistan and now in Middle East and planning to return to my home base next week while our team will return tomorrow. We have paid for all our expenses including flights and food. Boarding and Lodging was provided by my personal contacts.
