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Press
Releases / News |
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Press Releases: |
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Bangladesh Cyclone |
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| 17th November 2007 |
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Cyclone Sidr hit the southern coast of Bangladesh late on Thursday evening killing over 2000 people and displacing over 500,000 according to our local team. The storm surges reached over 4 feet driven by winds of 150 mph. Much of the rice crops were wiped out and there was widespread damage to homes, power and communications.
Humanity First teams on the ground were able to talk to survivors in Barisal District in the first two hours after the tragedy when mobile phones were supported by emergency power, but since then, there has been a blackout. HF has sent water launches from Dhaka and Chittagong.
We anticipate most help being needed in coastal villages around Barguna and Patuakhali. We will post more details after the assessment, but based on initial reports, HF are planning to set up soup kitchens and also provide basic medical assistance to purify water and protect people from water-borne diseases such as Cholera and Typhoid. |
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African Floods Relief Appeal |
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| 15th October 2007 |
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Floods Relief Update
A month after an appeal was launched by Humanity First in response to the disastrous floods across Africa, we are pleased to report that HF teams have been able to access several remote villages to assess damage and health and to start the process of supplying food, water and rations as well as basic medical assistance.
In Uganda, the team report that over 300,000 people have been affected in the South and East of the country. Working with local authorities, the team took a months supplies of food (including Posho, Cooking Oil and Beans) for over 700 people to villages in Soroti District despite treacherous roads.
In Togo, the team has been working in the Kpendjal region in the North-West where 25,000 villagers are cut-off and there are concerns over the outbreak of Cholera. They also report that the floodwaters are heading south to locations such as 'the Lake'. So far, two medical camps have been established around Pentali where several hundred patients have been treated for Malaria, Typhus and Amoebiasis. Other camps are now being set up nearer Mandouri across the river, and food supplies are being shipped in.
Assessments also continue in Gambia, Burkina Faso and Ghana, and aid worth thousands of pounds has been sent to local teams for distribution. |
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| 29th September 2007 |
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The seasonal rains have come early in Africa this year, with disastrous flooding affecting 20 countries in a belt across central Africa from Senegal to Kenya. Reports confirm at least 270 dead and 600,000 homeless. Millions more face starvation and disease after catastrophic damage to local crops and clean water following the heaviest rains in three decades. Supplies of critical medication are running dangerously low.
Humanity First’s focus is on providing food, water and basic rations to those people that have been displaced, particularly the vulnerable children. Humanity First has teams on the ground in most of these countries and has already responded to requests for help in Ghana, Uganda, Togo and Benin. We urgently need funds to accelerate the distribution of essential supplies and are looking to raise £500,000 within the next month to respond across the region. Please donate now so that we can help you put humanity first. |
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| Indonesia - 2 years after the Tsunami |
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| Thursday, January 18 2007 |
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For the victims of the Tsunami from two years ago, there has been a long-term programme of rehabilitation and training. In terms of clean water provision, this has required drilling down to between 125-150 metres to access clean water through the layers of clay in Banda Aceh. Wells were dug and water provided in a number of villages including Labuv, Lam Asan, Lampineung and Neuheun to over 4,000 people. New permanent housing is also being built for survivors of the Tsunami. A major HF camp was established at Lamno providing a range of services.
HF has also been providing facilities for two schools, Ibtidaiyah Negeri and Tsanawiyah Swasta in the Besar District of Banda Aceh. HF has provided thousands of books, school furniture, computers, office equipment, laboratory and sports equipment.
As a result of experiences two years ago, Humanity First Indonesia has developed a capability to rapidly deploy a soup kitchen serving 2 hot meals a day, and this has already been deployed several times in the last two years.
Soon after the Tsunami, in March 2005 there was an earthquake on the island of Nias, and HF were able to set up a local camp and provide food for 2000 people for 2 weeks until local services were resumed. In May 2006 around Mount Merapi, a team of 35 staff ran a soup kitchen to provide 3 hot meals a day for 2,500 displaced people. The team also helped with medical supplies, logistics and sanitation. Later that same month, an earthquake in Yogyakarta Province left many people displaced. HF set up camps in the villages of Sriharjo, Pathuk and Ngooro Oro. A team of 95 served hot meals daily to almost 3,000 people. HF also distributed essential food and medical supplies, blankets, baby milk and provided decent sanitation and electricity generation services. Finally, following the earthquake and tsunami in Pangandaran in July 2006, HF set up a camp in Kertamukti village looking after 800 people for 2 weeks.
In the latest twist, just as we marked two years since the Tsunami hit Indonesia, the same regions of Banda Aceh and northern Sumatra were recently hit by heavy flooding that has resulted in over 100 deaths and the displacement of just over 400,000 people. Humanity First is providing temporary shelter, food and water for victims. Unfortunately, the region around Indonesia is prone to regular disasters, but HF has developed a long-term plan to be able to respond rapidly using local resources and knowledge.
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| Flooding in East Africa |
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| Thursday, December 21 2006 |
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There has been widespread flooding in East Africa affecting some 1.8 Million people in Somalia, Kenya and Ethiopia.
Humanity First staff have been assessing the damage and establishing links and camps. Initial reports show that our efforts are hampered both by damaged roads, and also by groups of bandits who are taking advantage of aid convoys.
A camp was established at Nandorera in northern Kenya on 14/12 and so far, over 1200 people are being provided with food, water, clothing and medical assistance. Similarly, at Mihirini, a team of HF staff and a doctor are helping 300 people sheltering in a school.
HF are also working with Oxfam and the Red Cross to provide assistance across the border in Ethiopia and Somalia.
There will be further updates soon as the situation develops. |
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| Burkina Faso Update |
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| Friday, December 15 2006 |
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Humanity First continues to deliver several long-term projects in the West African country of Burkina Faso. This month, we will deliver twelve water wells to villages in the country in collaboration with Water Aid.
2 new IT Centres have been established in Dori and Tancodoro where over 40 students have started a 6 month training course.
In the capital Ouagadougo, 35 students have been sponsored into higher education. Finally, 36 girls are receiving tailoring training and will finish in mid-2007.
Your donations are helping to keep these long-term projects running not just in Burkina Faso, but all across Africa. |
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| Humanity First Continues to Deliver |
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| Tuesday, November 07 2006 |
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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 |
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| Wednesday, May 03 2006 |
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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 |
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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.
For further information please visit our website
www.humanityfirst.org.uk |
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| News: |
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| HF Registered in Pakistan |
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| Friday, December 15 2006 |
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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. |
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| Flood Relief in Suriname |
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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. |
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The deathtoll following the Burmese Cyclone is now officially 80,000 with tens of thousands still missing or injured, and hundreds of thousands facing starvation or disease. Meanwhile in the China Earthquake, the deathtoll stands at 40,000 with a further 32,000 missing and 236,000 injured. These have been two catastrophes for the region.
Humanity First has a team working on the ground in Burma and is planning other aid in both countries through partners as well as mobilising our medical teams. More updates will be provided soon.
Please donate to help us purchase supplies locally.
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