Charity drive: Beyond borders

Dubai:  When 22-year-old Matthew Murthy read the headlines about the floods in Pakistan, he felt a compelling need to help. With nearly 14 million people affected, the situation in Northern Pakistan is dire. People need help and they need it fast.

Murthy decided there wasn't much time to waste. The British man of Indian parentage decided to go all out to help the Pakistani victims, proving that borders are only manmade. The 22-year-old American University of Sharjah student says his journey into the world of charity began four years ago in India. "I travelled around the country for four years, lived in ashrams and did a lot of volunteer work," he says. When Murthy landed in Dubai last year to join his family, he decided he needed to find like-minded people to continue his journey.

"A few months ago I was introduced to Kabul Wazir, a UK-born Pakistani who owns orphanages in Afghanistan and Pakistan. We decided that time was precious for the victims and aid was needed immediately."

Joining forces with Caravan, a non-profit government organisation in Pakistan, Murthy and Wazir set about collecting aid for the victims.

"In the past four days, we've managed to collect 150 20-kg bags of rice, 60 boxes of milk powder, 150 bottles of cooking oil, as well as miscellaneous items such as clothes, shoes, blankets and tents. However, the numbers we have versus those needed are nowhere near close," says Murthy. Storage was provided by The Shelter in Al Quoz.

On August 15, the first shipment of food and medicine supplies will be shipped out to Swat Valley in Pakistan. Capital Star Shipping has provided a large container. Yet, the donations received so far don't even fill up half the space.

"On a priority basis, we need non-perishable goods, rice, lentils, dates, dried milk and all sorts of painkiller pills and antibiotics," says Murthy.

Water is another essential that needs to be shipped out.

"We'd like people to realise that whatever the donation they can afford may go a long way towards saving someone's life," says Murthy, whose time in India has led the way to wanting to ease the suffering of the Pakistani victims.

A United Nations report states "in terms of the number of people affected and who will need short- or long-term help, the floods are worse than the 2004 tsunami, which killed 236,000 people around the Indian Ocean."

 Lend a hand

Those who wish to help can call these numbers:

- 050-956 1628

- 050-351 9776

or e-mail matthewmurthy@gmail.com , kabulwazir@gmail.com