Balochistan quake: Extend a helping hand

As the death toll from the Balochistan earthquake rises with each passing day, the miseries of the victims is only increasing due to a lack of resources and delayed relief work.

Rescue teams have reached the affected areas and are working round-the-clock to provide aid, here is what you can do to share the burden:

Relief goods

The Pakistan Army is collecting relief goods at the Central Ordinance Depo on Rashid Minhas Road. Apart from this, there are numerous political parties, youth organisations and individuals, who are collecting cash and other relief items.

Buy a ticket

Singer and comedian Ali Gul Pir will be playing at The Second Floor for a charity concert on Sunday. Money earned through the sale of the concert tickets will be used for earthquake relief work.

Donate blood

As many earthquake victims were shifted to Karachi because of their serious injuries, the city hospitals are in need of blood donations. Patients have been shifted to Jinnah, Civil and PNS Shifa hospitals.

Map the disaster

Map the disaster online for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs which needs this data to assess the situation for relief work. MicroMappers has launched a platform <http://crowdcrafting.org/ app/MM_TweetClicker/task/339371> for the UN which is simply tagging of tweets - simple point and click of the mouse.

Start an initiative!

This is the time to do big things - well on a small scale. Start your own campaign in your area, class or office to raise funds. Organise a bake sale, movie screening or gig - get your creative hat on! Use the money to buy relief goods or donate it to an organization you trust.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 28th, 2013.