Expanding operations: PRCS opening Charsadda branch

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) chairperson of the society called 2010 a “year of disaster”.

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) is opening a district branch in Charsadda. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) chairperson of the society, Dr Sher Mohammad Khan, said this on Friday.

He called 2010 a “year of disaster”. He called it a time when society rendered its services to the affected people and provided them with support and assistance in the shape of provision of food, non-food items and winterised kits.

He was speaking to the newly formed Managing Committee of PRCS, K-P, at the provincial headquarters during a meeting to review the society’s activities during 2010.

Officials from various provincial departments gave detailed briefings and presentations on flood relief operations, PRCS and German Red Cross joint projects, health and first aid activities, disaster and risk reduction, development, communication and future plans for 2011.

Health and first aid co-ordinator Dr Khalid Qureshi briefed members of the managing body on first aid training and health facilities provided by the PRCS to various segments of the society during the last year.

He said Rs500,000 were generated from first aid training in 2010, while Rs246,000 has been generated in 2011.

Dr. Khalid said there are 24 healthcare centres running in K-P and a majority of them face shortages of medicines and other facilities due to non-provision of funds. The majority of these units have been forced to shut down because they require basic repairs and renovation, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 19^th, 2011.