– on NCN tomorrow night
THE  Guyana Relief Fund for Pakistan will be hosting a telethon tomorrow night to raise funds for the flood-ravished country and is urging citizens to open their hearts and donate generously to bring relief to those in need. The live telethon will air on NCN Channel 11 commencing at 20:00 hrs tomorrow. A release from the Fund said all donations received by the Fund (prior to and during the telethon) will be announced on-air during the telethon unless the donor specifically requests not to be named.
Last month’s floods in Pakistan were a natural disaster on a colossal scale. They have drowned
2.6 million acres of cultivated land, wiped out a quarter of the country’s annual harvest, destroyed or damaged 1.2 million homes and threaten a huge region with destitution.  To date, over 1,500 people have been killed and hundreds of thousands of homes have been swept away by the water leaving over 20 million persons homeless.
Yet to date the world’s response falls far short of the need. Hundreds of millions of US dollars has been pledged, but vastly more money will be required to repair damage and save displaced refugees from starvation and disease.

According to the Fund, Pakistan is in a state of emergency as a result of the massive flooding caused by monsoon rains which started in late July.

It was noted that more flooding is likely as rain continues to drench parts of the country, with the vital River Indus swollen to the point that it is 25 kilometers wide at some points.
“The country has made a plea to the world for assistance of any and every kind as it tries to cope with this disaster. Currently the areas where aid is most needed are food, water and sanitation, medical and health, shelter, clothing and restoration of homes and livelihoods,” the Fund said.
It noted that in an effort to provide a united response to this plea, the major religious organizations of Guyana and representatives of Non Governmental Organizations, Trade Unions and the Private Sector established the Guyana Relief Fund for Pakistan.
“This organization is seeking pledges and donation towards this very worthy cause. Contributions can be made by deposit at any commercial bank in Guyana in the name of Guyana Relief Fund for Pakistan or GBTI AC-CIAK 084457. A Relief Fund for Pakistan desk will be located at the National Communications Network Inc. (NCN), Homestretch Avenue, Georgetown, where an official receipt will be issued,” the release stated.
“Please join in this National and Humanitarian effort, open your heart and donate generously to this cause as the entire world comes together to render a helping hand to a nation in need,” appealed the Guyana Relief Fund for Pakistan.