Aberdeen man says fundraising efforts bring hope to refugees in pakistani camps

Aid worker spurred on by Scots’ generosity

Published: 07/08/2010

An Aberdeen aid worker who travelled to Pakistan to help flood victims has been spurred on by the fundraising efforts of kind-hearted Scots.

Habib Malik, head of Islamic Relief Scotland, has spent the last week in the north-west province of Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa where he has seen the devastation caused by monsoon rains.

More than 4million people have lost their homes and 1,500 people have been killed.

Mr Malik will arrive back in the UK tomorrow but said yesterday that it would only be a “physical departure” as he would still be with the victims in Pakistan mentally.

The 43-year-old, who stays in Aberdeen’s Hilton area, said: “The things I have seen over the last few days will stay with me, it’s a tragedy. There are children in the camps suffering with diarrhoea from drinking from the puddles on the ground, despite their parents telling them not to. What can they do though?”

The Disaster and Emergencies Committee launched their Pakistan Floods appeal on Thursday and, of the £2.5million raised so far, about £250,000 has come from Scotland.

Mr Malik said that news of the success of the appeal was raising the spirits of not only those living the camps, but also the aid teams.

“When I was leaving the camp and told people how much had been raised so far, there were lots of smiles.”

Donations to the Pakistan appeal can be made by calling 0370 606 0900.