OTTAWA, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 09/05/10 -- UNIFEM Canada (part of UN Women) extends its support to the victims affected by the recent destructive forces of nature in Pakistan; a crisis that has not been felt in Pakistan for over 80 years. In particular, we offer our deepest condolences to relatives of those who have perished in the flood waters. The destructive power of the Monsoon rains are causing water levels to rise, leaving over 20 million injured or homeless, with little or nothing.
Two thousand souls have perished and millions of homes have been destroyed in the tragic event, which exceeds in damages, the destruction recorded by the Kashmir and Haiti earthquakes and the Boxing Day Tsunami combined. Infrastructure and crops are extensively damaged, leaving those who were already living in poverty, with nothing.
United Nations Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki Moon has recently described the floods as a slow moving Tsunami, expected to result in the death of millions of lives. This horrid reality of Pakistan is one of great sorrow and grief. The people of Pakistan anxiously await a miracle.
Although relief efforts have been substantial, they are nowhere near adequate for the severity of this terrifying event. Camps have been set up, but they are of miserable living conditions, with barely any access to crucial medical care, food, clothing, and clean drinking water. Women and men relieve themselves in public resulting in the rapid spreading of cholera and malaria. The world must take action now and come to the rescue of millions of victims affected by the floods.
Almas Jiwani, President of the Canadian National Committee for the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM)-part of UN Women stated that "The tragedy in Pakistan is on a humongous scale. Most people are underestimating this problem as a mere monsoon season phenomenon."
Ms. Jiwani also stated that "As we enter an era of further destruction as a result of the floods, UNIFEM Canada asks Canadians at home and abroad to extend their generosity, compassion, cooperation, trust, and above all love. Together we can make a difference. The Government of Canada has pledged that all donations made to UNIFEM Canada will be matched dollar-to-dollar by September 12th 2010 and are eligible for tax deductible receipts. We are asking you to open up your hearts and give what you can to provide humanitarian aid to the victims; whether it is through an individual or group cash donation or an equally necessary collection of goods that will greatly help sustain millions of survivors."
As of present UNIFEM Canada urges all its supporters to donate via the Canada Helps Online Giving link embedded in this press release or visit our website.
UNIFEM has already launched an electronic fundraising campaign for the flood victims and in the near future, the Canadian National Committee for UNIFEM will be launching a major event fundraiser for the victims of the Pakistan flood crisis.
UNIFEM Canada is a registered charity with the Federal Government with a charitable number of BN:892989765RR0001
For Online Donations towards supporting UNIFEM's humanitarian relief efforts, please visit our Canada Helps Charity Online Giving page at:
www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=s73506
For in-cash/cheques/money order donations:
Please address the donation in an envelope with the subject UNIFEM Canada (Pakistan Flood Relief Efforts) and mail at the address: 300-309 Cooper Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P0G5
For up-to-date information on the Pakistan flood crisis, please visit our website, www.unifemcanada.org.
About UNIFEM:
UNIFEM (part of UN Women) is the women's fund at the United Nations, dedicated to advancing women's rights and achieving gender equality. It provides financial and technical assistance to innovative programmes and strategies that foster women's empowerment. UNIFEM works on the premise that it is the fundamental right of every woman to live a life free from discrimination and violence, and that gender equality is essential to achieving development and to building just societies.
The Canadian National Committee for UNIFEM (part of UN Women) is one of the eighteen national committees that supports the mission of the United Nations in advancing gender-empowerment, leadership initiatives and curbing gender-based violence.
E-mail: info@unifemcanada.org Website: www.unifemcanada.org Address: 300-309 Cooper Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K2POG5, Canada Phone: (613) 232-5751 Ext. 235
Contacts:
For Further Media Information:
communications@unifemcanada.org
info@unifemcanada.org
