Interview with Sarim Burney – a social activist and philanthropist
Profile:
Mr. Sarim Burney has more than 30 years of experience spread across various Humanitarian work such as providing emergency relief to flood victims and other natural calamity struck areas. He has an extensive experience in field research and surveying calamity-stricken areas.
Mr. Sarim Burney has helped drought-stricken Tharparker. Water Wells was built in Balochistan by him. He has helped Tsunami victims in Malaysia, covered natural calamities disasters in Kashmir and Ziarat (Baluchistan), earthquakes in China, various floods, and other disasters after natural calamities have been covered by him. Mr. Sarim Burney along with his volunteer workers has covered the affected areas and has distributed donated items among the victims.
Mr. Sarim Burney has been a social activist and a philanthropist for more than 3 decades.
He has seen the reality of life while helping out the victims of child trafficking for camel racing in gulf countries, human trafficking, and women trafficking for prostitution. He manages a shelter home in Karachi, Pakistan which is presumably the commercial capital of the country. Children from low household-income earning families run away to come down to Karachi to look for odd jobs on daily wages. On the other hand, women in adolescence age leave home to get married by going against their own family but get betrayed and are left homeless on Karachi streets.
Sarim Burney Trust International protects and provides shelter to these homeless women and children. Sarim Burney has seen the turmoil in the lives of these victims and he is thinking about the future of these victims.
Moreover, Sarim Burney Trust International’s Legal Aid Team assists in various cases related to social issues. Along with this, the International Centre for Rescue and Adequacy Department provides help for Overseas Pakistanis legal help in foreign countries.
Mr. Sarim Burney, Founder of Sarim Burney Welfare Trust International, Karachi, Pakistan visited Sindh and Balochistan flood-affected areas in Pakistan. He has met flood victims and surveyed different areas along with his volunteer team so that the flood victims can be provided with emergency assistance. Mr. Sarim Burney says it is difficult to narrate the situation and condition of these flood-affected areas in words. To draw the real picture one needs to visit these areas to feel the pain that these victims that they are facing.
Spending a day and a night in these areas is not easy. Water is stagnant in Sindh province situated in the south of Pakistan due to its sticky sand which has converted into mud unlike the northern areas of Pakistan where the fine coarse sand has allowed the water to drain out. Pakistan is an agrarian country where most of the farmers are dependent on their crops harvest and livestock for their livelihood.
In this extremely warm weather condition after heavy monsoon rains, staying in these areas is a challenge. As per the official figures mentioned during the interview, 47% of Sindh crops which were ready for harvest within a few weeks have been destroyed and 32% of livestock have died. This will cause food security in the region in near future. Soil erosion and loss of fertile land will add to the cost of this destruction. Food Inflation is expected to hit these areas in the coming months and it will affect the country in the future.
It is advisable to travel in groups and preferably under the supervision of the Air Force or Rangers. Groups have members from different communities and languages which helps to break the barrier of communication.
Step 1: Rescue Phase
Mr. Sarim Burney would like to appreciate the assistance provided by Pakistan Army and Air Force. They are worth applause for the hard work and struggle that they are facing while providing relief. Pakistan Air Force is well-trained and highly well-equipped to deal with such situations. They have sent several convoys to isolated areas where access is not possible. Special Thanks to the on-field officers who are working day and night to assist these flood victims.
Rescue Boat for mobility in the region
Transporting these items to different areas is a very tough task due to the lack of roads and shortage of the desired modes of transportation. Sarim Burney Welfare Trust International, Karachi, Pakistan is striving hard to distribute necessities through boats where road access is not available. Road mobility has become worst after floods. Localities are forced to swim in unclean water with snakes in it to reach the rescue workers for help. To commute in the vicinity of flood areas and transport patients especially pregnant women and ration rescue boats were distributed. Broken homes and areas drowned by the flood have converted into a piece of land surrounded by water like an island. These are the worst affected places as they are left isolated. Water is stranded up to 7 – 8 feet of water above the land in villages where proper drainage systems are not available. Due to improper modes of transportation and destructed infrastructure, it is difficult to reach these areas that have become isolated.
Life Jacket and Life Tubes
Rescue workers were insured with safety life jackets while they were helping out the flood victims. Stranded water is very deep in a few places that are only realized once the rescue workers enter these pocket areas.
Step 2: Relief Phase
Dry Ration Distribution
Food items, necessities, and water were distributed among the victims. Each good quality ration pack is about 40 kgs – 42 kgs that will serve 6-8 people for a month. 1 sack of dry ration is inclusive of Ghee cane, 20 kg of flour, sugar, chana dal, salt, rice, and other essential items. Those flood victims are not willing to leave their homes because of their cattle and livestock as these animals are their only source of income. These people are being provided with dry rations through boats that carry them across the flood. Several trucks, containers, and caravans of donated items have been distributed to several areas.
Mosquito Net and Repellents
Due to stagnant water skin diseases such as dengue and malaria are posing an alarming threat to flood victims. Other water-borne diseases are causing flood victims to fall sick. To take preventive measures, mosquito nets were distributed so that they can protect themselves.
Hand Pumps
Places with a scarcity of drinking water were in desperate need of hand pumps. Sarim Burney Welfare Trust team has enabled these areas with the availability of clean drinking water by erecting water pumps in different places. This will provide sweet water for localite and enable them to remain hydrated. Currently, they have to walk for miles to avail water for themselves and carry them back. There are places where only dirty sandy unclear water is available for drinking and where animals are found dead in it. This impure and infected water will cause further medical problems.
Generator for light
To get rid of the blackout areas in these flood-affected areas these generators were provided to different places. Proper lighting with wiring was prepared by Sarim Burney Welfare Trust volunteers and has been installed across the temporary tent city.
Fumigation Spray
To control the spread of diseases medication was sprayed. A spray gun has been used in different areas to disinfect the place. With the passing of each day, new issues are coming, as the water is being drained out, it is leaving behind diseases in the area.
Cooking kit: Gas cylinder and cooking gas stove
Uncooked food and gas cylinders along with gas stoves were distributed among the victims so that they can cook fresh food. Villagers depend on dry wood to cook food which has become wet in these floods. The gas stove is the only alternative to get a fire to cook food.
Step 3: Rehabilitation Phase
Sarim Burney Camp / Waterproof Tent city
Low-cost housing will be provided to flood victims once the situation gets under control in the next 3 months. Sarim Burney Welfare Trust International, Karachi, Pakistan has helped the flood victims to take temporary shelter in a tent city. The land has been dug up for the construction of temporary shelters and sheds have been placed to save the victims from the extremely warm weather. Shaded areas segregated to make small rooms can accommodate thousands of families with senior citizens, young children, and toddlers in these tents. These tents are covered with plastic sheets to protect them from the scorching sun. The city will facilitate the victims with various services for them to settle here temporarily unless homes are built for them. Medical Assistance has been provided to these victims as part of relief camp services.
In the next phase, they will be provided with an Education
Activities for young children have been created to keep them busy and occupied.
Lastly, they will be given support to rebuild themselves for sustainability and make themselves independent. They will be provided with assistance to earn living from agriculture or via livestock.
Mr. Sarim Burney has appealed for a donation of dry milk, ghee, flour, rice, dal, potatoes, tomatoes, and onion from the local market so that the transportation cost of these products can be exempted. Clothes are being washed in poisonous water and worn again. Donors are requested to donate clothes and slippers. Pampers and feeder bottles for toddlers are also required.
Meanwhile, Flood victims are demanding for Medical camps and field hospitals should be set up as the after-effects of floods have caused allergies, skin diseases, diarrhea, and Malaria. Sarim Burney Welfare Trust’s Ambulance has rescued a 5-year-old snake-stung girl. Emergency medical assistance for pregnant women is required. Currently, 70, 000 pregnant women are residing in these flood-affected areas. Flood victims and localities are urged by volunteer lady doctors and medical assistants to come forward and help the patients.
Clean drinkable water is an essential need that will keep them safe from various diseases. Donors are being requested to donate lotions to treat water-borne diseases causing skin allergies. The lack of a Sanitation system is making the situation worst.
Difficulties faced by volunteer workers
Lack of roads or broken roads are disrupting the transportation system.
Lack of internet and poor mobile network.
Only helicopters or boats can reach the flooded areas.
If you can help us in any form as a volunteer then please do contact us.
Those interested in donating may visit our website for further information: