However, there are also others who are profiting from this opportunity to gain free funds. As was highlighted in the news a few days ago, reports are rife that people collected donations for the cause of the IDP’s and kept a major portion for themselves. Then there is the odd person who pops up by your car on a signal, with a box for donations. I am forever doubtful if that donation is actually going for the IDP’s or for the Taleban under-cover, or in the pocket of some corrupt profiteer. Oh yes! you should keep this in mind! Since there was no initial screening of the people coming down from the Swat area, many of the Taleban also slipped out with them. And they are known to take on such disguises to escape from the military so they can survive to cause trouble later. And Karachi is one place where they know they can come to collect money! 

So keeping all this in mind, how should you screen your donation to make sure it actually reaches the ones in need?

One thing is to make sure that the organization or individual collecting the donation is dependable and has a track record for doing this kind of help. Another is to make sure that they have the required infrastructure or delivery mechanism in place to actually deliver the help in time and to the people actually in need. Third is to make sure that they would utilize the excess aid in a proper manner and divert it to other such scenarios.

For me, the World Food Programme (of the United Nations) fits all these descriptions perfectly. It is no secret that they are doing an incredible amount of work to make sure that nutritious food supply is maintained for everyone in need. Plus they have a history of providing such aid earlier during the earthquake tragedy in Pakistan as well. The UN has the required infrastructure, supply chain setup, and governmental permissions that would get this aid across quickly. And also if there is any surplus, you can be sure that they will utilize it within Pakistan for any future tragedy that might hit. For just Rs. 6000 you can help support an entire IDP family. I am publishing the details of the WFP’s Pakistan Trust Fund accounts below, so you too can help. These have been verified by me through contacting the official spokesperson for the WFP in Pakistan, so you can be sure they are the right ones. You can also find the same account details on the WFP’s Pakistan website, http://www.helpidp.org/donation.php which they have set up in collaboration with the NWFP government. Heres the details:

World Food Program – Pakistan Trust Funds

Account-1:

Account no: 01-7355548-38
Standard Chartered Bank, F-7 Markaz, Islamabad
Swift Code – SCBLPKKX

Account-2:

Account no: 92577-4
Branch code: 1694
National Bank of Pakistan, Al Markaz branch, F-8 Islamabad.
Swift Code: NBPAPKKA02I

Voice of the Civil Society

The time has come to support and help our countrymen in a more consolidated manner. These are citizens of Pakistan, who are desperate and living under miserable conditions in camps and make-shift abodes. Visualize an environment where they don’t have a roof over their head and no basic needs (food, medicines and education for their children) being fulfilled.

PLEASE DON’T LET THE TALIBAN’S TURN AROUND AND TELL THE IDP’S THAT THEY WERE ABANDONED BY THE CIVIL SOCIETY!!! We have done the easy part by lodging our protest to the relevant authorities against the Taliban’s, but the actual people suffering need our help. So here is the plan;

Donation camp at the Carlton Hotel – Karachi, from May 15 to 17 of May, 2009 (Between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m).

They will be collecting the following items for the internally displaced people (IDP) from Sawat, Buner and other areas who are pouring in to Islamabad and other areas. WE WILL BE MORE AFFECTIONATE TOWARDS INDIVIDUALS, WHO OFFER CASH DONATIONS!!!!!

Tea
Dry milk
Sugar
Pulses
Edible Oil (sachets)
Flour bags
Rice
Biscuits
Candies for Children
Soaps
Soaps for washing clothes etc.

For Children:
Story Books
Coloring Books
Coloring materials
Copies & pencils
Bedding (Gudda’s, pillows & sheets etc.)

Medicines:
Pain Killers
Cough syrups
Bandages
Antibiotic oral medicines and for external use (e.g. Furecin powder)

Tents:
For this commodity, we are looking at cash donations as these would be bought on the spot.

We have found individuals working (round the clock) in Islamabad, who will go where the IDP’s are located and distribute the above mentioned items to the best of their capability (They have honed their skills of distribution from their experience gained at the time of the Kashmir earthquake.)

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