In the backdrop of the Coronavirus scare affecting the livelihoods of daily wagers and tutors due to the slowing down of the economy, LUMS students are stepping up and playing a part to support the affected and their families.
One such story is that of Wardah Noor, a sophomore at the School of Law at LUMS.
“As soon as the news of COVID-19 outbreak in Pakistan surfaced, we started an awareness campaign regarding it. The first thing we realised was that people in underprivileged areas had a pandemic bigger than COVID-19 to deal with, which was hunger,” says Noor.
A systematic strategy to help was instated. First of all, a team to deal with crisis on an immediate basis was announced: 20 social workers from different areas of the city were immediately inducted to conduct surveys in their respective areas to gauge the needs of the community. Nearly 49,000 households in Layyah did not have food.
Meanwhile, after collecting donations from friends and family, the team under Noor purchased ration bags carrying essential food items to feed a family for 10-15 days. These included flour, rice, pulses, sugar, oil, spices and a few vegetables. Other LUMS students also joined in. A Quetta Chapter Team led by Nayab Wali and one in Khushaab led by Alina Tahir helped get additional support. A total of PKR 0.7 million was collected in two weeks and enabled them to help 700 families.
The aim is to reach out to the maximum number of households and provide them with food packs. At the moment, the team is covering Layyah, Khushaab and a few areas in Quetta. However, Noor adds, “We have devised a distribution strategy with the help of locals but are struggling to find the right donors and to get enough resources to feed maximum households.”
Meanwhile, during distribution, the team maintains the essential safety precautions by strictly adhering to strict personal protective measures while distributing the ration bags by wearing masks, using sanitizers, maintaining social distancing and disinfecting clothes on a daily basis. Additionally, it is also providing hand sanitizers and asking the recipients to use them as well before collecting their packages.
If you wish support Noor in her efforts, please visit their Facebook pages www.facebook.com/WardahNoor.PAK and www.facebook.com/futurepakistanteam for more information and donations. For financial contributions, the relevant account details are as follows:
Paypal account: ahmedshoaib204@gmail.com
Jazzcash/Easypaisa transfers can be made to 03077794180
Bank Account of ABL, use IBAN: PK45ABPA0010061253180013
