Danish Muslim Aid calls for relief efforts at quake-hit areas
By Bushra Rafique

ISLAMABAD—Several Danish Muslim have joined hands for an organized relief activity in the earthquake stricken areas of Pakistan. Danish Muslim Aid (DMA), a Copenhagen based group of Muslims is spearheading all the activities in this regard. Mr. Babar Baig, a Danish Muslim and Chief Coordinator of the relief efforts in Pakistan, arrived here last week to have first hand view of the relief requirements and activities. Baig briefed the media men about his recent visits to Chapprrian (Tehsil Deerkot, District Bagh) and stressed the relief organizations to move a step ahead and focus their activities more on the far flung areas of Kashmir and NWFP.
He acknowledged that the dilapidated terrain might be a hurdle to any such efforts, yet he noted that the people in areas away from the main highways are the ones in most despair and should be reached out before the harsh winter strikes.
Mr. Baig said that the Danish Muslim community has stood up to the call for help for their brothers in Pakistan and have so far donated one million Danish Kroners (10 million Pak Rupees) for the relief activities and the donations are increasing every day. We are trying to focus on areas where no one has been able to reach, he mentioned. In addition, we are committed to a four year plan of rehabilitation for our brothers and sisters, he added.
Regarding the ongoing activities, he mentioned that a team of fifteen Pakistani and Danish doctors has been in the earthquake hit areas of Balakot and Muzaffarabad for the past ten days. These doctors are coordinating with different camp hospitals of Pakistan Army and different other NGOs. Seventy truckloads of relief goods including 200 tents, 3000 blankets, 1000 bags of flour, 100 bags of sugar, 600 packs of ghee and 1000 packs of milk have been specifically arranged to reach out remote villages in District Bagh and Muzaffarabad. DMA volunteers from Kashmir accompany these trucks to ensure delivery to the far flung areas, he added.
Mr. Baig also praised fellow Danish organizations the Muslim Cultural Institute, Organization of Pakistani Students and Academicians, Kashmir Fund Denmark, SEHAT, WAKF and the colleagues of Eishoj Mosque for their support. Around 3.5 tonnes of winter clothes have been arranged and sent by different organizations through arrangements made by DMA, he mentioned.
He also thanked the non-Muslims in Denmark for their help and requested all circles of the Danish as well as Pakistani society to keep donating generously as rehabilitation of the affected people shall be a long process. Already several Danish have donated generously in cash and kind, and more donations are expected to come in shortly. We have started a campaign in Denmark for the support of children, he stated. Around 100 Danish locals have pledged to provide 250 Kroners (Rs. 2,500) per month to support one child each from Kashmir or NWFP.
On the occasion, Syed Abid Gilani, local coordinator for DMA relief efforts in Pakistan also indicated that serious efforts are needed to reach areas where jeeps and mules only possible way to travel and a lot of time and effort is required to accomplish the task are the. As winter approaches, these areas will become even more difficult to reach, hence now is the time to help the devastated people.
He praised the ongoing efforts of Danish Muslims and mentioned that 100 all-weather tents have been received today in Islamabad. In addition, special arrangements have been made with the Danish Army to provide 4,000 sleeping bags. And through the Swedish army, 90 tents have been bought at a very favorable price.