Flood Relief Volunteerism

Telenor Pakistan and its partner organization Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) arranged for a flood relief volunteers visit to Charsadda, Khyber-Pukhtunkhwa on the morning of August 7, 2010.

A team of eight Telenor Pakistan volunteers, including two drivers, participated in the first volunteer activity led by PRCS. The teams headed out with the aim to transport relief items to the villages near Charsadda, and distribute food and non-food items to the flood-affected.

On reaching the flood-stricken area, the volunteers gathered at the Hujra of the village Tarnab that served as a make-shift Emergency Response Center for PRCS.

Under pouring rain, the team members split into groups and headed off toward the flood-affected villages. They began distribution of ration coupons that would enable a family to receive relief goods as per the distribution process.

The volunteers were also tasked with assessing the immediate needs of the flood-affected families and report on what they had seen. During these assessment visits the volunteers experienced exemplary hospitality on part of the locals.

Chaudhry Shahid Ali, a volunteer, shared his experience: "I had heard a lot about the tradition of hospitality of the people living in Khyber-Pukhtunkhwa but I have now seen it myself. At a time when they have lost almost all of their belongings, they still did not stop serving those who came there to help them. I urge everyone to participate in this effort and help those affected as much as you can."

Once the ration coupons had been distributed, the distribution of the relief goods was to begin. However, the rapidly rising water levels – that had begun spilling over the only connecting bridge of the area -- called for an immediate evacuation of all relief workers, and the volunteers were forced to return to base.

The volunteers waited for the weather to clear and for the water levels to subside, but to no avail. As a last resort, the relief goods were placed in the care of PRCS and the volunteers returned to Islamabad.

Many more volunteer visits are planned in the coming weeks to various union councils of Charsadda; similar visits are going to be arranged in the flood-affected areas of South Punjab.

In collaboration with PRCS, Telenor Pakistan is committed to providing relief assistance through volunteerism as well as telecommunication services.