Equipment for Eye Camps required urgently

As we all know that with the onset of old age the problems of sight get worst.
In many remote areas of Pakistan most people are poor they don’t have access to any General Physician. They don’t get any old age benefits from Government or any other institution. They remain dependent upon their children. Because of illiteracy and unemployment their children don’t succeed getting any permanent job. They work on daily wages. Most of them just live from hand to mouth. Under these circumstances the majority cannot imagine to spare 6 to 15,000 thousand Rupees (95 to 240 US $ at least) for eye surgery. These helpless people are compelled to compromise living a miserable life like blinds.

Once, Dr. Ayaz Saeed (Member Advisory Council, PR) treated an old man in remote areas of NWFP, who used to live like blinds for 8 years. He had no money to go to any nearby city and to get rid of cataract.


In past, Pakistan Relief arranged a few such operations with the help of another organization because we had no surgical equipment available. We want to continue this activity on regular basis. Dr. Ayaz and Dr. Usman both have done thousands of cataract surgeries. They are available voluntarily at the end of every week. More over they can spare more time if needed.

In this regard we need some necessary equipment and stuff to continue the Prevention of Blindness Program both independently and effectively. Sometime hospitals dispose off the used equipment which might still be useful for us. We request individuals and hospitals abroad for entire or some of the following equipment. The list of required items is as under:

Out Patient Requirements

Essentials
• Ophthalmoscope
• Ophthalmic Torches

Second Priority
• Portable Slit lamp
• Tonometer (Perkins Type)
• Portable Autorefrectometer
• A Scan U. Sound


OT Requirements

• Operating Microscope
• Autoclave
• Hot Air Oven
• Sterlizer (We have already)
• Generator
• Stools (We can arrange)
• Trolly /Table (We can arrange)

Instruments
• Drums for autoclave
• Bowls (We can arrange)
• Cataract Surgery Sets 4 at least
• Cannulas


Supplies needed to carry out Surgeries

• I.O.Ls ( Available in Pakistan for 10 to 40 US $)
• Visoelastics
• Blades
• Syringes (We have a lot already)
• Cotton ( Available )
• Antibiotics
• Eye Drops
• Opbites
• Miostat
• Sutures

The provision of above said items would make our dream of eye treatment for the poor people true. The government has exempted all the machinery and medical supplies from taxes which would be imported for humanitarian purposes.

Emergency Response Team (ERT)

The ERT (Emergency Response Team) provides immediate help to the vulnerable humanity during natural disasters such as Earthquake, Flood and Drought etc. Inspired by nature, we work together without the consideration of any race or creed.
During the earthquake of Bam, Iran and the Tsunami, the ERT appeared on the scenes of disasters and helped the victims with a vital spirit. The Teams obtained appreciations of a great many people, United Nation, Red Crescent Society of Iran , other International NGOs, Government of Sri Lanka and HRH Prince Charles.
Pakistan Relief which is a Humanitarian Assistance Division of Wilderness Pakistan was the first organization which reached the earthquake hit area. The ERT (Emergency Response Team) of Pakistan Relief visited district Head Quarters hospital Manshera and a few villages late afternoon on October 8, 2005. Need assessment was done on the spot and next day two trucks of food and other stuff was sent to the effected area, which was further distributed among 300 families of Balakot, Bisian and Banna (villages surrounding Balakot). On the same day two trucks were also sent to Bagh area of Kashmir with food and other relief goods.

Accordingly SITREP (situation report) was prepared by ERT and sent to 18 different International NGOs, upon which the German doctors’ team confirmed their arrival for medical assistance.
Among other activities ERT also contacted Pakistan Army Medical Corps based in Manshera. Colonel Hanif who is Coordinator Medical Operation NWFP was the focal person. German team of doctors was given helicopter drop by Pakistan Army Aviation. First few days due to the assistance provided by Colonel Hanif, the team managed to operate in Nawazabad, Kalas, Deoli, Thredi and Jabar villages near Batagram area, treated and registered 9800 patients. 73 persons with serious injuries were evacuated by the helicopter and shifted to hospitals in Islamabad and Abbottabad, where a team of American doctors who volunteered their services treated them.
ERT team was divided into two sections one working in NWFP and other in Kashmir.
The section working in NWFP was further divided into two teams. One team started working in Shual, Shagi, Batangi, small villages near Balakot and second team started working in Rema and Jabori near Batagram. The teams usually start their activities at early hours because sometimes they had to walk on foot for two to three hours uphill in order to access the remote villages. Despite the fact that all the team members were fasting (due to Ramazan) great courage and dedication was shown by each and every member, which made the relief operation some how effective.

Acknowledgment

To all those wonderful people in schools and youth organizations connected with the WILDERNESS PAKISTAN projects, we want to thank you for your hard work and dedication to serving youth in your programs. The Wilderness Pakistan remains committed to designing quality outdoor education programs that are relevant to youth from all socio-economic backgrounds, in terms of the cultural, environmental, and educational aspects of their lives.
We will also keep on finding ways to provide an outdoor experience for all children as well.

Building the resilience of people to disasters

There was no dedicated institution in Pakistan to provide common people with training in the integrated fields of disaster prevention and preparedness. To fill this gap, Pakistan Relief took another extraordinary initiative by laying down the foundation of PRIDEA- Pakistan Relief International Disaster Education Academy. Disasters can strike anytime and anywhere. We must improve our skills and build our capacities. We call upon you to join Pakistan Relief and enroll in our short courses.

“Wise men dig wells before, not after a blaze. “

Success of PRIDEA has been assured though education of its trainers at several high ranking European institutions, such as Heidelberg University, St. John Ambulance- Die Johanniter Academy (Muenster, Germany). Several Pakistan Relief instructors at PRIDEA have been certified by these esteemed organizations. To disseminate their knowledge and build the resilience of our nation to disasters, we are focusing our training in the following fields:

First Aid
Human Survival
Search & Rescue
Emergency Radio Communication
Disaster Management
Logistics
K-9, Rescue Dogs

A brief introduction (Mr. Ban ki Moon)

Wilderness Pakistan is a non-profit organization dedicated to Adventure Sports Promotion, Environmental Advocacy, Humanitarian Assistance, Health and Education in Pakistan.
Inspired by nature, we work together to protect our communities and the planet. Over the past 12 years, the WILDERNESS PAKISTAN made tremendous strides in ensuring that low-income youth have access to nature. Wilderness Pakistan provided the means for number of youth to have quality, outdoor education experiences in Soun Valley, Margalla Hills and Balochistan.
The Club is being seen, as the future’s most influential grassroots humanitarian and environmental organization of Pakistan.
The WILDERNESS PAKISTAN members are your friends and neighbors. And we need to do more grassroots organizing. Our influence and effectiveness is dependent upon our members, donors, and beneficiaries.

Our Mission Statement About Flood Victims

• Promote Constructive Adventure Sports in Pakistan.
• Create awareness among youth to identify and enhance their abilities to help building a "Beautiful and Peaceful World".
• Establish a pool of talented people amongst different walks of life and invite them to do some thing for humanity without any race or creed.
• Educate and enlist humanity to enhance their skills through constructive adventure sports.
• Explore, enjoy and protect the wild places of the earth.
• Practice and promote the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources.
• Protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment.
• Use all lawful means to carry out these objectives.

High Angle Rescue Exercise

A fundamental level exercise for HAR- High Angle Rescue took place at Margalla, the foothills of Himalayas, Islamabad a few days ago. 21 volunteers and members, who are certified First Aiders as well, participated in a day long activity. This time, most of the participants were students, belonging to various institutions.

Fortunately, it was a sunny day and climate was very pleasant. The members gathered at the point of arrival well in time and we left the POA at 08:40 in the morning. The hiking route has already been finalized by the instructors but was kept undisclosed. The first part was consisting of a rather easier hike for an hour or so.

The second part got harder since the participant chose a self identified fire line on the hills to reach at the top. Though, the entangled trek was relatively easier and clean as compare to a 2500 feet, vertical attempt but some participants (M. Zubair, Fawad, Ameer, Adil, Ali, Umar. Imran and Asif) convinced others to move straight to save time for other tasks. This part consumed almost 2 hours. Everyone was sweating whilst removing the hurdles in the way that were mostly the brush and the bushes.

The third part was the most interesting part for all the participants since a nice cliff was found both safe and challenging for rappelling. The solid rock had some sharp edges which were made smooth using little boulders and a polyurethane sheet. Besides, the point where we coupled the 9mm line was a bit messy but almost everyone dealt with it making a good maneuver whilst leaving the edge of the rock. In the middle of the route, there was a challenge for every rescuer. That was to how to keep his body away from the branches of a tree while maintaining balance and coming back to the descending route.

Furthermore, the landing place was not that spacious and everyone needed to keep his safety in mind all the time after removing harness and till reaching downhill. Both, the leaving and landing points had no line of sight so on the top instructors were feeling the tension of the rope to measure the exact time being consumed by every rescuer. Mr. Jamil Khokhar was declared the winner at the end.

It was almost the time for sunset when we all were enjoying our lunch while sitting at rocks and enjoying a pretty view of the federal capital. The brown basmati rice with chicken- called Murgh Pulao helped participants restoring energy and gaining some calories for another day of training.