Pakistan Update #4

The Hospital (SCH)
Emergency supplies continue to be distributed at SCH, with large amounts of potatoes and rice prepared for the camp around a local hotel. Sixty-five families were served the first night, and last night 39 more families were asking for food, so approximately 560 people were fed. An unfortunate incident: the water tank on top of the van slid forward off the carrier rack, crunching the top of the vehicle as it exited the hospital gate, so only about ¼ to 1/3 of the cold water was able to be saved and transported to the camp.

Bowls for chai and packets of poppas were purchased for distribution this morning. Dillas (large containers) for 50 more families in that area were also purchased and cleaned so that we can deliver them ready for storing water today.

Today, the plan is to deliver the chai and poppas for the morning meal and to prepare channa (Chickpeas) and rice for the evening meal. ORS (water purification packets), soap and other sanitation items will go out with the chai delivery team this morning, along with an initial teaching session. We will also try to find a smaller tank to carry water to the camp, and to see if there is still an area NGO (non-governmental organization) that supplies well borings and hand pumps to provide a well at the middle of the area. If not, we will see if we can arrange it ourselves.

Mr. Samuel, Mr. Robert and Dr. Priscilla gave an interview last night for radio broadcast in the U.S. with Dr. Hans Finzel of WorldVenture to inform listeners there of the scope of the disaster and appeal for relief funds. Click here to listen to the show: Link.

Baptist Global Relief (BGR)
Francis Horton of BGR is here in Hyderabad today with an assessment team. They are sponsoring several relief efforts around the country and will be heading up-province tomorrow to check things out in Sukkur, as well.

Hyderabad
Together with Francis' assessment team, we visited a number of camps on the edge of the city. We arranged for prepared food for two different groups from the Jaffarabad area--one with 85 members, another with 55. One of the greatest needs that comes up consistently is for some kind of shelter from the heat of the day and/or for tents. Most are living and sleeping out under the open sky, and many simply on the ground.