Pakistan Earthquake

In general, Wayward Princess tries to be light and cheery. This means I try to avoid compaining, whining, discourse on political things (even when they are REALLY important to me) or other unpleasant things.

The earthquake in Pakistan, and its aftermath, is an incredible human tragedy and therefore isn't the sort of thing I generally get into, but there are things YOU can do to help. So look at the info here and do what you can.

The following is from a friend of a friend who lives in Islamabad in Pakistan - The region worst hit by the recent devastating earthquake. I can't seem to make hyperlinks work so please copy and paste the urls... thanks.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There are a number of ways to contribute toward relief efforts for the tens of thousands of people in need of medical assistance, food and shelter, as a result of the recent earthquake in northern Pakistan and Kashmir. I have listed some of these resources below, particularly relevant for those of us who reside outside Pakistan. Please pass this around.

Friends report that at least two local organizations are doing great work on the ground in the areas worst hit - Edhi Welfare Trust (http://www.edhi.gwat.net/) and Sungi Development Foundation (http://www.sungi.org/) - details of how to donate directly to these organizations are below. The President and Prime Minister's relief funds are also making urgent appeals for contributions. You can also make donations to international organizations involved in the relief effort, including UNICEF and OXFAM, online.

This list includes information that I have collected through speaking with friends and relatives in Pakistan, searching online, and speaking to representatives of Edhi, Sungi, PIA and the Pakistani consulate in New York. This also includes information sent out by my friends.

Edhi Welfare Trust
You can also mail a cheque or money order made out to -

'Edhi Welfare Trust' to
Edhi International Foundation,
42-07 National Street
Corona, New York, 11368
U.S.A.

SUNGI Development Foundation has been working in the areas worst hit by the earthquakes for a number of years. They are accepting money transfers:
payable to SUNGI DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION
a/c 412-2
branch code: 0585
MUSLIM COMMERCIAL BANK, STAR BRANCH
ABBOTABAD
SWIFT: MUCBPKKAA

President's Relief Fund
Please send all checks to 236 Massachusetts Ave, NE, Suite 207, Washington D.C. 20002. The checks should be made out to the President's Relief Fund.

You can also make online secure donations for the Presidents Relief Fund at the United Bank of Pakistan Click N Remit Website - http://www.ubl.com.pk/ You'll need to register as a new user, for which they ask for details such as your social security number (which they are required by law to collect). They also charge a small processing fee.
Details:
Recipient: Presidents Relief Fund
Account #: 01091428
Region: Karachi
Branch: City Branch, Karachi

For recipient's address you can use Seretariat building, Islamabad.

Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America (APPNA)
http://www.appna.org/Home/Home.asp?MainLink=Home&SubLink=Achievement
Accepting donations by credit card over the phone, and accepting checks.

OXFAM: you can donate online specifically for earthquake victims.
http://www.oxfam.org.uk/what_you_can_do/give_to_oxfam/donate/asian_quake.htm

UNICEF: You can also make online donations for earthquake victims, especially children.
http://www.unicef.org/

Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA)
https://icnany.org/Donation/Donation.php?a=relief

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has offered to transport in-kind donations, most importantly of the following items:

1. Shelter
Tents and plastic sheets
Blankets
Mattresses

2. Food Items
Pre-cooked tinned food (Halal)
High energy Biscuits
Survival Rations

3. Medicines
Antibiotics
Typhoid Medication
Fractured related Kits
First aid kits
Surgical instruments
Water Purification tablets

I'm still trying to figure out how PIA will accept these in-kind donations, since they want the donation to be certified by the Pakistani consulate (due to Homeland Security regulations?), who don't have the logistics to make the collection and prefer people to make financial contributions. As soon as I learn more about this, I'll let you know.

In Canada, you can donate to:

Donations to UNICEF Canada's South Asia Earthquake Emergency Appeal (www.unicef.ca), can be made on-line at https://secure.unicef.ca/portal/SmartDefault.aspx?at=1211, by telephone at 1-877-955-3111 or by mail at UNICEF Canada, 2200 Yonge Street, Suite 1100, Toronto, ON M4S 2C6.

World Vision Canada
http://www.worldvision.ca/home/content-archives/content-stories/pakistan-devastated-by-earthquake/

Care Canada
https://www.strategicprofitsinc.com/wn/care/sp_don_e.php