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Humanity First fulfils promise to victims of Pakistan Earthquake by opening a state of the art Neurosurgery Operating Theatre

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Flood Relief in Suriname

HF Registered in Pakistan

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Humanity First Continues to Deliver

Saturday, 7th October 2006

Humanity First is continuing its relief efforts in the affected areas of Pakistan, hit by last year’s massive earthquake. At 08:52 hours on Saturday October 8, 2005, Pakistan was struck by the worst ever earthquake in its history, magnitude 7.6 on the Richter scale. The earthquake affected the Kashmir and northern areas of Pakistan where over 76,000 people lost their lives, hundreds of thousands were injured and millions became homeless.

Immediately after the earthquake, Humanity First mobilized global operations and while aid was being collected from all over the world, within 48 hours, medical camps were established and running 24 hours with doctors and specialists flown in from 4 continents.

In a period of 6 months, 75,000 people were treated in the medical camps, 39,000 people were provided with shelters, 468,000 KG (468 tons) of relief goods were distributed to the needy including waterproof tents, clothes, shoes, bedding, food and domestic water filtration systems. A large number of HF volunteers from USA, UK, Germany, Canada, Netherlands and Pakistan worked over 480,000 man hours. The Humanity First Medical Relief Centre in Islamabad took care of over 850 victims including 125 severely wounded patients for 132 days (Nov 05 – Apr 06) during which the patients and their entire families were provided with cooked meals, kitchen utensils, clothes and all other facilities.

Humanity First has also sponsored the new state of the art Neurosurgical Operating Theatre at the Abbas Institute of Medical Sciences, Muzaffarabad. The construction of this new wing has just been completed and specialist equipment is on its way from Germany, USA, UK and Taiwan. This facility is expected to be fully functional by the end of October 2006.

“We are very pleased to see the completion of the neurosurgical Operating Theatre, there was so much demand for this facility in AJK and Humanity First has fulfilled its commitment” explained Mr. Ahmad Sayed, Chairman of Humanity First International, who has been overseeing the operations in Pakistan.

Commenting on the earthquake remembrance day, the HF Chairman said: “Our prayers are for the victims of this tragic earthquake who lost their loved ones and all those who suffered. There is a lot more to be done for the rehabilitation of the affected people and Humanity First is fully committed to the reconstruction work”.

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Humanity First fulfils promise to victims of Pakistan Earthquake by opening a state of the art Neurosurgery Operating Theatre

Wednesday, 3rd May 2006

The foundation stone for the Humanity First Neurosurgery Operating Theatre in Al-Abbas Hospital, Muzafarabad, Azad Jamu Kashmir (AJK), was laid today by the Health Secretary Major General Abdul Malik.

The new state of the art Operating Theatre expected to be fully functional by mid August 2006 will fulfill a promise by Humanity First to continue to support the victims of the Pakistan earthquake that devastated the lives of tens of thousands in October 2005. The cost of this project is estimated to be around one million US dollars.

“This new facility will be a big blessing for the people of Kashmir. The only neurosurgical facility in AJK for such type of patients was based in CMH Muzaffarabad which was unfortunately destroyed by the earthquake. Recent earthquake has caused about 5000 spinal injuries including about 500 documented paraplegic/quadriplegic patients in AJK. It is anticipated that the number of such patients will further increase due to post earthquake scenario.

Humanity First has also donated us a fully-equipped ambulance to help facilitate the operational processes for the Neurosurgical department, and a large number of imported wheel chairs, walkers and crutches. This will be a huge help to us” explained Dr. Bashir Ur Rehman, Executive Director AIMS.

“Humanity First is now focusing on reconstruction work and this high priority project is a further proof of our commitment to the affected communities,” explained Mr. Ahmad Sayed, Chairman of Humanity First International, who is overseeing the start of Phase III operations in Pakistan by the launching of the Neurosurgery Operating Theatre.

“When completed, the operating theatre will provide the highest standard in healthcare services in the region and it will become a vital part of Pakistan’s health infrastructure. We will ensure that this project is delivered according to the need of the 21st century” added Mr. Sayed.

“It is a tremendous effort by Humanity First to sponsor this highly important project at AIMS. There is a vital need for this operating theater, where in the past, such patients used to be transferred to Rawalpindi, Abbotabad or far places due to lack of good facilities in this region. This new operating theater will be a modern health care facility in Kashmir,” Major General Abdul Malik said.

The ceremony was also attended by Mr Kashif Murtaza, Chief Secretary AJK, Mr Jonathon Addleton, Mission Director, USAID, Prof. Rashid Jooma, head of neurosurgery JPMC, Karachi

Notes to editors:

Humanity First is a UK-based charitable trust established to promote and safeguard the preservation of human life and dignity. Humanity First is a non-political, non-sectarian international relief and development agency that works with communities around the globe to improve the quality of life for some of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people.

Humanity First has special consultative status with the United Nation’s Economic and Social Council UN Economic and Social Council.

Since May 2006, torrential rainfall in the South American country of Suriname has led to widescale flooding. This has left over 30,000 people homeless in a region of 25,000 square km. The Suriname Government declared the affected area a disaster zone and requested help.

HF was able to immediately send a team to assess the scale of the problem and set up base in Paramaribo. Within 24 hours, two trucks were despatched with 19 volunteers to purchase and deliver the required emergency supplies. Distribution is being co-ordinated through the NCCR Military depot from where the supplies are being airlifted to remote areas cut off due to the scale of the flooding.

HF has just been registered as an official aid agency in the Pakistan. This will enable HF to provide help in different areas of Pakistan at a larger scale.