Dubai sets out to help people in Thar

Dubai Sheikh’s brother has set up an aid-distributing camp in Thar.

THARPARKAR: Sand and poverty are two main characteristics of the Thar Desert, one of the least developed areas in Sindh. However, Nagarparkar resident Subdar is happy because he is part of a team that is distributing aid in this impoverished area.

The team is led by Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Rashid al Maktoum’s brother, Lieutenant General Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid al Maktoum, who has not come here but has sent his representative.

“This is the first time that I have distributed aid,” said Subdar excitedly. Every time Arif al Zarooni, emissary of Lieutenant General Sheikh Ahmed, comes here he feeds the impoverished. “Around 1,000 hungry men get food from the camp he sets up,” he added. Large trucks were part of the fleet that visited Chachi, Bando Kolahi, Ratti Talai, Yakoob Gadani and other villages in Thar. “First we helped the IDPs because that was the greater need, now we have come to help the poor and distribute relief goods in Thar,” said al Zarooni. The Arab delegation distributed goods worth Rs20 million.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 2^nd, 2010.