Fakhr-e-Alam's Help Appeal!! A Success!!

KARACHI: "This is the kind of spirit and sentiment that was present in our nation during the 1965 war that I always spoke to you about," explained a father to his child, who was one of the hundreds of Karachiites at the Pakistan Air Force Museum on Sunday, donating eatables and other essential goods to the victims of the severe earthquake in the northern parts of Pakistan.

The manner in which the people of Karachi deposited their household items as well other essentials at this relief camp set up for the first time at such a large scale, was unbelievable. People on Sunday were seen giving truck loads of food, clothing, blankets, mattresses, gas cylinders, cloth for shrouds and other necessary items. A lot of doctors themselves came up and gave relevant medicines that the injured immediately require.

People from far off areas, even during the month of Ramadan, rented taxis to come and donate goods despite the heat and inconvenience. The number of volunteers who came in to help was also impressive. Most of these volunteers had been working all day, with a minimal break for Iftar in between.

"I cant believe my own eyes. These boys, whose names I barely know, have been working throughout the day without me asking them to because they emotionally feel for the victims," said singer Fakhr-e-Alam.

He candidly said that he did not expect such an overwhelming response. "I initially came with a target of collecting stuff that could be accommodated in a single air force plane, but all that has been collected today alone will require about 20-25 planes," he added.

Apart from the C-130 planes, an Air Force Boeing from has also been made available. This can bear three times more luggage than an ordinary plane as efforts are being made to get the maximum amount of aid in the minimum time possible to those who need it.

Trucks are being sent on rescue missions as well, in an effort to bring the injured to hospitals in Karachi. Cash was not being accepted and people were asked to buy eatables from the stalls present there so that more material goods could be sent, which is what the victims need right now. "People are normally hesitant to give cash because they are unsure whether or not the amount will reach the desired destination so to avoid suspicions, we instead planned a 'no-cash' scheme," said actor and producer, Hasan Soomro.

He also said that every citizen of Karachi and Sindh greatly sympathized with the victims of the earthquake and were doing everything to share their burden. Children as young as 4-5 years of age have given away their pocket money. "A little child came up to me and said please accept this 500 rupee note on my behalf for those who need help," added Soomro.

A volunteer worker, Rehbar Khan, explained that this is a public set up open for anyone and everyone who can lend a helping hand. "This venue was chosen as it is easier load onto planes at the base from here and also because the public tends to trust the armed forces if nothing else," he said.

People are coming from far off areas and the set-up is organized and systematic. The parking lot is quite a big area and the relief tents are spread all over.

Fakhr-e-Alam was grateful to the media to have conveyed his message across the nation which has proved to be effective. He said, "We have got a lot of help from the people of this city and right now we just want to appeal to the government that these things should reach the right place at the right time. Hats off to all the Karachiites!"

Another relief camp is set up at Pakistan Maritime Museum where within two hours, dozens of blankets, clothings and eatables alongwith 8,000 rupees cash was collected which would be forwarded to the victims.

Setting aside their political, ethnic and social differences, thousands of city residents have donated millions in cash and kind for the quake victims in one day alone. Most emergency relief organizations, like the Edhi Trust, also reported that they had been inundated with people wishing to donate and help out.