Updated 2 February 2011
In July 2010, the worst floods to hit Pakistan in 80 years affected the Northwest parts of the country. The consequences were catastrophic with hundreds of deaths and thousands of people being displaced.
NASIMCO, working in partnership with The World Federation of KSIMC, responded swiftly and launched a North American-wide appeal to collect funds for relief efforts to begin. Announcements were made across North American Jamaats, sample speeches were circulated and articles were included on the NASIMCO website and newsletter, detailing the plight of the Muslims in Pakistan and encouraging people to donate. Member Jamaats heeded the call and came through in assisting the fundraising efforts in their local communities. Together, NASIMCO and the Jamaats were able to raise funds for the destitute.
CANADIAN JAMAAT’S DONATIONS MATCHED
In response to this humanitarian crisis in Pakistan, the Canadian government also announced it was launching a Pakistan Relief Matching Appeal in which it guaranteed to match dollar for dollar the donations collected by registered Canadian charities toward the flood relief efforts. NASIMCO promptly communicated this information to its Canadian Jamaats, asking them to emphasize their drives and collect the funds before the deadlines. Alhamdulillah, a total of $424,527.74 (CAD) was raised in Canada and the required form was submitted to the Canadian government to request matching of this amount.
On December 23rd, 2010 a letter was received from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) thanking NASIMCO for its participation in the government’s Pakistan Flood Relief Fund and stating that the funds had been matched and had contributed towards the provision of shelter, clean water, medical supplies and the rehabilitation of land and livestock in Pakistan.
Individual Canadians donated over $46.8 million to registered Canadian charities for Pakistan flood relief between August 2 and October 3, 2010. The Government of Canada has put an equivalent amount into the Pakistan Flood Relief Fund. CIDA is allocating these funds to established Canadian and international humanitarian and development organizations for humanitarian assistance, early recovery, and reconstruction efforts that benefit the people in Pakistan most affected by the floods.
CONTRIBUTIONS SENT TO PAKISTAN
The donations raised in Canada along with the additional $125,000 (USD) raised by the American Jamaats, have been sent to Husseini Foundation in Pakistan and have been directed toward relief efforts, including the building of 549 houses in Sindh.
NASIMCO would like to take this opportunity to thank every individual who donated towards the Pakistan Flood Relief Fund. May Allah (SWT) reward you Insha’Allah.