Pakistani Earthquake Charity Drive

Received from a close friend who is helping out in Pakistan:

BRITISH AND PAKISTANI EYE CHARITIES APPEAL FOR DONATIONS TO HELP WITH OPERATIONS IN EARTHQUAKE ZONE

Lord Bernard Weatherill, Patron of the Graham Layton Trust (GLT), today (World Sight Day 2005) announced that the charity, in conjunction with its sister organisation in Pakistan, the Layton Rahmatulla Benevolent Trust (LRBT), has launched an appeal to fund their facilities in the earthquake zone that are providing free treatment of eye injuries and disease and, in the longer term, to fund the construction and operation of new facilities in the region. An anonymous corporate donor in the UK has already pledged up to $120,000 to fund immediate requirements, and further offers have been received from donors in the UK, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and elsewhere.

LRBT, which operates 11 hospitals and 27 clinics in Pakistan providing free eye treatment, already has advance parties on the ground establishing clinics at three locations in the earthquake zone, two in Azad Kashmir and one at Mansehra (in the Hazara District of NWFP). These will be in tents and provide simple surgical facilities.

Patients from these clinics requiring serious surgical intervention will be transported, accompanied by a relative if appropriate, to one of LRBT's secondary hospitals, initially either at Mandra (Punjab) or Akora Khattak (NWFP). Acute and paediatric cases will be treated at LRBT’s postgraduate teaching Hospital in Lahore. The clinics will also provide other medical services within the competence of their staff.

As LRBT is already on the ground, donors will be asked if LRBT may, if it sees the need and is assured by their performance, give some of their donations to support the immediate needs of other medical organisations operating alongside LRBT’s clinics.

Lord Weatherill added that already more than 98% of money donated to GLT reaches the beneficiaries in Pakistan, and LRBT’s credibility, swift response and presence on the ground means that donations to the appeal will quickly and efficiently benefit victims of the disaster

Dr Maleeha Lodhi, the UK High Commissioner for Pakistan, commented: “LRBT already undertakes over 25% of all cataract surgery in Pakistan and its highly trained staff and support organisation are a welcome addition to the relief operations, I hope that this appeal will be generously supported.”

Donations should be sent to ‘The Earthquake Sight Appeal’, Graham Layton Trust, 12 St James’s Square, London SW1Y 4RB. Cheques should be drawn in favour of ‘The Graham Layton Trust’

Enquiries to Michael Pelham, Managing Trustee:
Tel: 07785 701445 Fax: 01993 851950 Email: GLTMLP@aol.com