WALTHAM FOREST: Borough responds to Pakistan floods (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

WALTHAM FOREST: Borough responds to Pakistan floods

3:47pm Friday 6th August 2010 in Waltham Forest News By Safira Ali

L-R, Maxwell Adjei, Zen Shah, Kamar Zaman, Salman Hussain and Junaid Qadil of the Active Change Foundation collecting for flood victims in Pakistan

RESIDENTS in Waltham Forest are joining forces to send relief funds to flood-hit Pakistan.

Charities and mosques in the borough launched fundraising campaigns after 1,600 people were killed and an estimated 12 million people affected by the worst monsoon rains in 80 years.

Local mosques held bucket collections after Friday prayers today and local charities have run TV appeals.

Nadeem Javaid, from Walthamstow, is volunteering for MADE in Europe, a non-governmental organisation which is sending a team of disaster response specialists to the flood-hit region.

The team will be working to provide clean water to flood-affected communities and hope to reach more than 70,000 people a day.

Mr Javaid said: "The UN has estimated that over three million people have been directly affected by the floods.

"The real impact and extent of the floods is only now starting to emerge and immediate action is needed in the form of safe drinking water, medicines to prevent the spread of disease and temporary shelter.

"The UK is one of the greatest countries in the world when it comes to humanitarian responses and I urge readers to help contribute whatever they can to save lives and ease the suffering of those affected."

Local charity Islamic Help, based in Walthamstow, put out an appeal on Takbeer TV last night.

And Leyton group Active Change Foundation has also started a fundraising effort.

Nazakat Ali, youth centre manager for the foundation, said: "We have started bucket collections to raise money.

"I raised £100 in 45 minutes. People have promised to give money.

"Everyone has been so generous. My personal fundraising target is £600.

"A lot of people have been affected by the floods. Giving money is the right thing to do to help those affected."

Heena Khaled, also from the foundation, said: "People are giving what they can to help. We are working with our partners, the police, the military and charities to raise money.

"It's really amazing how people want to donate so much. A lot of people in the community are collecting.

"We are better off than those who are suffering, so we need to do something to help.

"They are facing one problem after another, we should support them, especially in the run up to Ramadhan, when it will be especially difficult for them."

They are working with Islamic Relief, KIRF (Kashmir International Relief Fund), and contacts in Pakistan to get the money to those most in need of it.

To donate money to victims contact the Active Change Foundation on 453 Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, or call 020 8279 1258.