FLOOD DAMPENS RAYA SPIRIT FOR PAKISTAN FLOOD VICTIMS

From Mohd Hisham Abdul Rafar

KARACHI, Sept 8 (Bernama) -- Aidilfitri is not as merry as before for the
hundreds of thousands of flood victims in the country who now await the arrival
of Syawal in relief centres, which are lacking in basic facilities despite the
best effort to provide them.

The flood, the worst in Pakistan's recent history, displaced millions of
people who are now staring at a bleak future.

Ahmad Dwali Mohamed, 40, who is among thousands of victims at the Ten Villay
Hawksvay centre, said there was little to celebrate this Syawal.

"I am sad... very, very sad. Normally at this time of Ramadan, I would be
going to the city to buy new clothes for me, my wife and children. Now, all this
is a distant dream," the cattle farmer said through an interpreter.

During the last Aidilfitri, he said, he prepared a sumptuous spread of meal
for his family and guests.

"But now, everything is gone. None of my belongings is spared. I only
managed to safe my wife and children," he said, his eyes filled with tears.

Another victim at the centre, Akhbar Hussein Mohamad Iqbal, 38, said his
family lost everything.

"There is little to celebrate this Aidilfitri," said Akhbar Hussein, who is
among 7,000 victims at the camp, which is among the biggest centres here.

A victim at another camp in Sindh, Abdullah Rahman Khan, 45, said despite
the condition, he would still celebrate the coming of Syawal. "We will try to
enliven the situation and perform prayers in this camp."

The situation in relief camps is in stark contrast to that of other places
not affected by the flood.


In Karachi and surrounding areas, people are thronging shopping complexes to
prepare for the Aidilfitri, with the shopping period in some areas extended
until 3am.

Putera 1Malaysia Club is currently here in a humanitarian mission from Sept
3 to 12 to deliver aid to the victims.

On Friday, the club will hold an Aidilfitri event with the victims, here.

Club president Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim said the club would distribute
meat and rice at the event.

The mission is participated by 68 volunteers including 40 doctors and
members of the media.

Azeez said the club would focus on areas such as Dadu and Thatta which had
yet to receive aid.

-- BERNAMA



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