‘OUTSTANDING’ fund-raising efforts by Worcester’s Pakistani community to come to the aid of those affected by the Pakistan floods have won praise in Parliament.
City MP Robin Walker drew attention to the efforts being made by Worcester Mosque in the wake of the devastating floods in Pakistan and urged ministers to do everything in their power to increase the impact of their efforts.
The mosque is hoping to raise £10,000 to help people affected by the flooding and has made a stunning start with in excess of £5,000 already raised.
At least 1,136 people have been killed since June and roads, crops, homes and bridges washed away across the country.
Makeshift relief camps have sprung up all over Pakistan to cope with the many displaced by the floods.
The situation is most severe in provinces such as Sindh and Balochistan, but mountainous regions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have also been badly hit.
While Mr Walker applauded a ministerial statement which outlined an increase in the UK’s contribution to humanitarian relief following the recent catastrophic flooding in Pakistan from £1.5 million to £16 million, he emphasised that British Pakistani communities across the UK, including in Worcester, are doing more.”
“In Worcester, our mosque raised £87,000 to support Pakistan after floods in 2010 and once again it is going out of its way to raise money. What more can the Government do to amplify and magnify the contribution from British Pakistani communities?” he said.
In response, Minister of State for Development, Vicky Ford MP said: “May I thank the members of my Hon. Friend’s mosque in Worcester?
“Members of my mosque in Chelmsford have been engaged in similar activities. I encourage those who are concerned about the flooding to continue to support the DEC [Disasters Emergency Committee] appeal.
“The response over the past few days has been absolutely outstanding.
“Supporting through the DEC appeal, which has match funding from the UK Government, will ensure that water, food and other emergency needs get to where they are needed most.”
