Amir Khan, popularly known in Britain as ‘King Kha’, was holding a fundraiser in his hometown Bolton to raise money for charity Oxfam to rebuild schools in Shahdadkot, Sindh.
Amir Khan, whose parents are of Pakistani origin, visited flood-affected areas of Pakistan with Oxfam last September. He said the floods were a massive disaster and it will take time for people to rebuild their lives.
“Even today some people’s fields are submerged in waist-high floodwater. Thousands of families are still living under canvas in the camps and the temperatures are plummeting,” he added.
Oxfam is currently helping nearly 1.9 million people affected by the disaster but they say that this figure is dwarfed by the number of people who are in need.
According to Neva Khan, head of Oxfam in Pakistan, there is still a desperate need for funding. “The growing malnutrition and rising food prices underlines just how much more needs to be done” she said.
“The planting season is looming and farmers need seeds and tools. We can – and are making a difference – but this was a mega disaster. Pakistan will need long-term support to recover.”
According to Oxfam, the UN appeal for the disaster is still underfunded as it has only 53 percent of the funds it needs. They estimate that one million flood-affected children are still unable to go to school.
Neva Khan continued: “With the schools in Shahdad Kot destroyed many parents have sent their children to work in fields, but they desperately want their children to continue their education. Rebuilding the schools will safeguard these children’s futures.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 24th, 2011.
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