Karachi:Twenty-one years have passed since the devastating earthquake that struck Pakistan on October 8, 2005. To commemorate those who lost their lives in the catastrophe, pay tribute to the services rendered by Alkhidmat volunteers during the earthquake, and raise awareness about reducing losses in natural disasters and emergency situations, an awareness walk was organized by Alkhidmat Karachi.
The awareness walk was held from the Alkhidmat Head Office to New M.A. Jinnah Road. The walk was led by Alkhidmat Karachi Executive Director Rashid Qureshi. Director HR and Compliance Munir Yaqoob, Senior Manager Disaster Management Sarfaraz Sheikh, managers of various departments, employees and a large number of volunteers participated in the walk.
Addressing the participants, Executive Director Rashid Qureshi said that Alkhidmat observes October 8 as National Disaster Resilience Day every year, with the objective of creating awareness among the public about emergency situations and preparedness for disasters.
He said that Alkhidmat has the capacity and experience to serve the nation during natural disasters. When a devastating earthquake struck Islamabad and Azad Jammu and Kashmir on October 8, 2005, Alkhidmat launched extensive relief activities in the affected areas. It initiated rescue and relief operations and subsequently undertook rehabilitation work for the affected communities.He said that Alkhidmat volunteers demonstrated remarkable national spirit and dedication in helping the affected people. They rescued victims and transported them to hospitals, while in mountainous areas, volunteers carried injured and stranded people down on their shoulders. Rashid Qureshi recalled that the late Naimatullah Khan was present in the earthquake-affected areas the very next day.
He said Alkhidmat established several field hospitals for earthquake victims and built hundreds of houses for the affected families. He further said that many of the Alkhidmat volunteers who served during the 2005 earthquake are still participating in today's awareness walk.
Their services, he added, are highly commendable and deserve recognition and tribute.Rashid Qureshi emphasized that earthquakes and natural disasters cannot be prevented, but their impact and the losses they cause can be reduced through practical measures and proper preparedness.
He said that Alkhidmat has a large volunteer network as well as the necessary equipment to respond to emergency situations. He stressed the need to train people in disaster preparedness and equip them with the skills required to cope with difficult and emergency situations effectively.