HOUSTON: In a significant display of cross-border solidarity, a coalition of Pakistani-American organizations and international relief partners dispatched three containers of critical medical aid, valued at over $600,000, for flood-affected regions of Pakistan.
A grand ceremony held in Houston, Texas, marked the departure of the containers, which are packed with essential medical equipment and supplies destined for hospitals and medical centers in the hardest-hit areas. The event drew diplomatic representatives, community leaders, and officials from multiple collaborating organizations.
The humanitarian shipment is the result of a joint effort by the Alliance for Disaster Relief, Helping Hand for Relief and Development, the Pakistani American Association of Greater Houston, the Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America (South Texas Chapter), the Houston Karachi Sister City Association, and Medical Bridges.
Pakistan’s Consul General in Houston, Muhammad Aftab Chaudhry, hailed the initiative as a commendable example of practical assistance from the diaspora and friendly institutions during difficult times. “These efforts will not only heal the wounds of the victims but will also further strengthen the bond of humanitarian sympathy and cooperation,” he stated.
Mr. Ilyas Chaudhry of Helping Hand for Relief and Development provided a detailed briefing on the pressing medical needs in the flood zones, emphasizing that the supplies would significantly boost local healthcare capacity. Walter Ulrich of Medical Bridges reaffirmed his organization’s commitment, noting that a prior assessment visit to Pakistan was crucial in tailoring this effective aid.
The ceremony, moderated by campaign coordinator Muhammad Saeed Sheikh, included a symbolic ribbon-cutting and featured remarks from numerous community figures. Organizers pledged that the Pakistan Flood Relief and Rehabilitation Campaign would continue its work until sustainable recovery is achieved in the affected areas.
Meanwhile the Deputy Commissioner Munawar Hussain Magsi conducted a rigorous field inspection on Thursday to oversee the ongoing polio vaccination campaign across the district.
The DC visited multiple areas to personally review the progress of the immunization drive. He met with frontline polio teams deployed in the field to obtain a detailed briefing on their performance, coverage rates, and any challenges they were encountering.
To ensure transparency and accuracy in the campaign’s reporting, Deputy Commissioner Magsi physically checked the fingerprint marks applied to children’s fingers after vaccination. This measure is a critical tool for verifying that each administered dose is properly recorded.
