Warmth & Human Rights: Groups Caring for Asians

Photo: Muzammil Pasha/UNICEF - The best way to prevent measles may be immunization - See Irin News under countries/Pakistan

(We in US and Europe have much to learn from groups featured here)

Photo UNHCR GO here

Providing warmth during a cold Pakistan winter: Report from International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

22 December 2010
By Kathy Mueller

Dawn is breaking in Pakistan. In the northern part of the country, a fine mist hangs, suspended in valleys between the mountain ranges. Frozen crystals sparkle in the early morning sun as the temperature slowly climbs above the freezing mark. Winter has arrived in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province.

This region was one of the first that was devastated by the monsoon floods in July this year. Landslides, triggered by the raging torrents, erased entire villages from the face of the earth. Roads and bridges – the only links to the people who live here – were destroyed.

“When the floods came, we were in our home. We ran towards the forest or to relatives who lived far away,” says Mubarak Shah. “We lost our land, our generator and our windmills. Our homes were destroyed too. The floods took it all.”

With rocks of all shapes and sizes still blocking the only road to his village, Mubarak Shah, his family and neighbours are virtually cut off from civilization. Today, he has walked more than 20 kilometres to Dasu because he has heard that shelter kits will be handed out by the Red Cross Red Crescent. He stands with other men, waiting patiently for his turn at the front of the queue.

As part of its effort to help 150,000 flood-affected families, the Pakistan Red Crescent Society, International Federation of Red Cross Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and their partners are distributing shelter kits to 70,000 people in these northern regions of the country.

Read Full Article here

Also go here

InshaAllah, I hope to post a synopsis and update on another moving effort to help flood affectees soon after the beginning of the New Year 2011.
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The Asian Human Rights Commission's Seasonal Message:

New Years Wishes from The Asian Human Rights Commission and their local partners:
On this occasion, we are presenting messages from several countries through a video presentation in which a number of people present their Christmas and New Year greetings and appeals.

See this humble, striking VIDEO greeting and hopes for the New Year by a number of dedicated human rights workers across Asia here

Find more on the Website humanrights dot asia

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE
AHRC-PRL-038-2010

ASIA: Christmas and New Year Wishes from the Asian Human Rights Commission

The Asian Human Rights Commission wishes everyone a merry Christmas and a happy new year. In all countries of Asia, this Christmas and new year will be celebrated in very difficult conditions. We extend our wishes to all families who are struggling in the midst of these difficulties to fight for their rights. We particularly remember the families of disappeared persons and victims of extrajudicial killings, victims of torture, illegal arrest and illegal detention, and those who have been deprived of fair trial. We also remember the millions of people who suffer from effects of poverty and deprivation such as starvation, malnutrition and other serious problems. We remember the indigenous people whose habitat is in serious danger due to various forms of expropriation of the forest and natural resources. We bring greetings to all those who, despite of these problems, struggle for democracy, rule of law and human rights.

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About AHRC: The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation monitoring and lobbying human rights issues in Asia. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984.

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