Hopes for a home: Families displaced in Baseen, Dalnati shifted to tents

Apart from necessities provided by the Red Crescent Society, the district administration also set up 90 tents,

GILGIT:

Residents displaced by floods in parts of Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) are still waiting to be repatriated.

In Baseen, at least 30 families have been living in tents since their houses were inundated by floodwater. “There are problems everywhere. There is no drinking water, food or medicines,” said Ziaullah, one of the displaced people, adding that they want to return to their homes as soon as possible.

The displaced residents have appealed to non-governmental organisations to extend further help.

Meanwhile, almost 72 families were shifted to tents and other makeshift accommodation arrangements in Dalnati village of Ghizer Valley after houses were swept away this week.

In a bid to restore routine life in the village, Minister of Education and Law Ali Madad Sher and Deputy Commissioner Sibtain Ahmed supervised the relief activities themselves.

Apart from food and other necessities provided by the Red Crescent Society, the district administration also set up 90 tents, provided food packs, hygiene sets and kitchen utensils to the victims. A doctor is also available for free medical treatment round the clock.

“On humanitarian grounds, we are doing whatever it is possible for us to do,” Ahmed said.

“It’s our duty to be with the villagers in this time of distress.”

Ahmed added 60 families have been shifted to safer places to avoid any loss in light of the surging water, whereas 12 families, whose houses have been completely swept away, will be rehabilitated.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 17^th, 2013.