ISLAMABAD, Feb 16 (APP):The Pakistan Red Crescent Society on Monday briefed print and electronic media professionals on its ongoing humanitarian response in Bajaur, as it hosted a media engagement session at its national headquarters in Islamabad.
The event was organised with the support of the Norwegian Red Cross and the European Union’s humanitarian arm, ECHO, to explain the process of relief assistance being delivered to conflict and disaster affected communities by transparent communication being central to its operations.
The session brought together journalists, vloggers, bloggers, social workers and PRCS staff, and opened with recitation from the Holy Quran.
In his opening remarks, Assistant Director Media Rehan Ali provided a detailed overview of the humanitarian situation in Bajaur, outlining the coordinated response led by PRCS National Headquarters through its Merged Areas Branch, in collaboration with partner organisations.
Participants were informed that families affected by recent crises are receiving a range of assistance, including emergency relief support, services of Mobile Health Teams, access to safe drinking water, hygiene promotion activities, psychosocial support for restoring family links and cash assistance to meet immediate needs.
The briefing was delivered by Amad Yousaf, Deputy Director of the Norwegian Red Cross Programme, who said the response was designed to address both urgent and early recovery needs.
Deputy Director Media Sher Zaman also briefed participants on the global Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, explaining the respective mandates of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross, and highlighted PRCS’s ongoing humanitarian interventions across Pakistan.
Media representatives were given details on project outcomes, the scale of assistance, the number of beneficiary families and future plans, followed by an interactive question and answer session.
Journalists sought clarifications on operational challenges and coordination mechanisms, a process PRCS said reflected its commitment to accountability, transparency and informed public discourse.
Concluding the session, PRCS Secretary General Muhammad Abaidullah Khan acknowledged the constructive role played by the media, noting that timely and responsible reporting helps amplify the voices of affected communities.
He said accurate coverage not only highlights the challenges faced by vulnerable populations but also brings their concerns to the attention of policymakers, thereby strengthening humanitarian response and public trust.