Croydon volunteers on front line of ‘harrowing’ Pakistan flood provide thousands of meals and tents

Dozens of volunteers and staff from a Muslim charity are desperately delivering aid after one third of Pakistan was submerged by flash flooding.

Al-Khair Foundation, based in Pitlake, Croydon, has sent dozens of volunteers to Pakistan. is feeding thousands of people every day and has given thousands of tents to families forced from their homes.

According to officials, it is estimated that more than 33 million Pakistanis – one in seven people there – have been affected by the flooding, and at least 1,300 people have died since the monsoon season began in June.

Mahmood Ahmed, head of international programmes at the Al-Khair Foundation, said: “The destruction is very bad. We haven’t been able to assess the physical damage or the volume of the damage yet because we are working so closely in the flood relief zones – everybody is at the forefront to support the people of Pakistan.

 “Our teams are providing both cooked and uncooked meals to more than 2,000 people, and have distributed about 1,800 tents.

“It is estimated that we will be looking at about $100bn worth of repairs.”

Following the flash floods, 700,000 people in Balochistan and 303,000 people in Sindh have been displaced.

Authorities are still struggling to reach residents trapped in their homes. It’s predicted they could run out of food within days.

The Al-Khair Foundation has launched a flood appeal to fundraise as much as possible for those struggling.

The team remains on the ground and continues to deliver food packs, cooking kits, hygiene packs, water containers, medical support and tents to families affected by the flash floods.

Pakistan is expected to face major food shortages in the coming weeks and months as it is believed the floods are worse than those that hit Pakistan in 2010, the deadliest in the country’s history, which left more than 2,000 people dead.

Imam Qasim, founder and chairman of the Al-Khair Foundation, said: “We have all seen the harrowing footage of the Pakistan floods. Our planet is extremely fragile, and our prayers are with all of our friends in Pakistan.

“The rain and floods have been catastrophic for the people of Pakistan. We urgently appeal to the public to donate and help those affected by this disaster.

“We need to show global solidarity for Pakistan through these dire times and we must step up to support those affected.”

Al-Khair, founded in 2003 in Croydon, runs support schemes across the UK and has distributed more than £200 million in international humanitarian aid over the last decade.

To donate to Al-Khair Foundations Pakistan Flood Appeal please visit https://alkhair.org/emergency-appeals/

Pictured top: Al-Khair Foundation volunteers hand out food in Pakistan (Picture: Al-Khair Foundation)