Updated 28 July 2008

The World Federation launched the Pakistan Earthquake appeal in 2005 and raised funds for emergency assistance, medical help and housing. The relief efforts in Pakistan are currently at the rehabilitation stage as the community attempts to fully recover from the tragic and powerful earthquake.

In April 2008, The World Federation launched the Pakistan Housing Project to raise funds to build 200 one-room houses for the displaced victims of the earthquake that shook Northern Pakistan in October 2005. During the Quake, about 300 houses in the foothills of Siachen in Northern Pakistan were destroyed along with others in the region.

UPDATE:  NUMBER OF HOUSES SPONSORED
Since the launch of the appeal, members of our communities from around the world have generously donated to this appeal, and to date we have raised enough funds to build approximately 115 houses. The cost of constructing each house is GBP £250 / USD $500 / CAD $500; the cost is low thanks to the subsidised rates negotiated by the efforts of our partnering agency, the Hussaini Foundation in Pakistan.

THE IMPACT OF THE QUAKE
Prior to the earthquake, our Shia brothers and sisters lived in extremely deprived housing which were poorly constructed and run down. In addition, land on these mountains is cheaper than in other areas and those who are the most deprived live here.

The earthquake which hit this region, demolished these homes to pieces, taking away what little the people had in terms of housing. Since then, these victims have been living in tents or make-shift shelters. Below are examples on the state of the housing that our Shia brothers and sisters are living in, in this area together with photographs of some of the make-shift tents which they have been living in since.

BLANKETS:  AN IMPORTANT TEMPORARY SOLUTION
Siachen is located in the Northern Mountains of the country where the cold temperatures reach freezing levels and snow, wind and rain create an unbearable living environment in these frail and defenceless tents. As a temporary solution, the Hussaini Foundation distributed blankets to the people here, in hopes that they would provide some sort of warmth and comfort.

UPDATE ON THE LATEST PROEJCT:  CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON SIACHEN HOUSING PROJECT
Today, three years after the earthquake, construction of the new one-room houses has already begun. Finally, our brothers and sisters in this area have peace knowing that their sufferings will soon be alleviated, inshAllah. Construction is scheduled to be completed by October 2008, before the onset of winter when the snow and harsh weather conditions will block access to roadways needed by construction vehicles and trucks carrying supplies and equipment.

PROGRESS REPORT:  DONORS AND SPONSORS
The World Federation would like to thank all donors and sponsors who have and continue to give to this project. Those individuals who have provided us with their contact information will receive:

• A letter confirming that the construction has already begun, along with photos of the progress;
• Confirmation of when the housing will be completed, along with photos;
• Information on how their donation is making a difference.

MORE INFORMATION ON THE WIDER HELP GIVEN AS A RESULT OF THE PAKSITAN QUAKE
Through its newswires, The World Federation provided information on the plight of the homeless in this region along with information about this new Housing Project.  In the last few years, over USD 700,000 has been sent to Pakistan to assist in the permanent settlement of those affected by the Earthquake of 2005. The funds have been used in various projects and the work has been conducted in partnership with Hussaini Foundation and our community institutions there.

The Executive Council of The World Federation met in Karachi on 18 February 2007. Councillors then visited the earthquake devastated region to see for themselves the permanent relief efforts in progress.

Click here to view Pakistan Earthquake 2005:  Rehabilitation Stage

Click here to view Pakistan Earthquake 2005:  An Appeal for 200 Houses for the Homeless

PAKISTAN HOUSING PROJECT FUND CONTINUES:  PLEASE DONATE
The World Federation continues to collect donations for this housing project. We are hopeful that with the more contributions we receive by the end of August 2008, the more houses we can build for the families.

To Donate on The World Federation website, click here

To Donate in Canada or USA, (via NASIMCO), click here

To Donate in Europe (via CoEJ), click here

If you have sponsored a house, and would like a report on your donation, please click here to complete a form 

For more information, please email relief@world-federation.org