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FAISALABAD, Oct 09 (APP): Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) President Farooq Yousaf Sheikh said that FCCI in collaboration with welfare organizations would prioritize relief efforts in far-flung flood-affected areas where access by government and private institutions is limited.
He was addressing a ceremony to hand over 1,100 ration bags to Maulana Tariq Jamil Foundation (MTJF) for distribution among residents of flood-hit localities along the River Ravi.
He lauded the humanitarian work of MTJF and said that business community of Faisalabad has always played a frontline role in assisting victims of natural calamities and this tradition would continue with renewed commitment.
He informed that FCCI has already distributed 1,000 ration bags while another 1,100 are being dispatched now for flood-affected families.
Chairman Flood Relief Committee Mian Javed Iqbal appreciated ongoing efforts for the rehabilitation of affected farmers including the reconstruction of damaged houses and distribution of seeds and fertilizers to help restore their livelihoods.
He stressed the need to focus special attention on those areas where floodwater still remained stagnant along with delay in recovery efforts.
He said that FCCI and business community would actively participate in long-term rehabilitation projects and a detailed survey is currently underway to identify needs on the ground.
Mian Javed Iqbal also urged the philanthropists and business associations to motivate more donors to come forward. As soon as appeals were made, donations began arriving promptly from across the city, he added.
He called upon association office-bearers to encourage their members to contribute generously for relief activities.
Former Deputy Chief Officer Hafiza Azmat Firdous praised the historical role of business community in support of refugees after creation of Pakistan in addition to assisting victims of natural disasters. She said that Punjab government with the support of relevant institutions is compiling comprehensive data of flood-affected households to ensure transparency and organization in the rehabilitation process.
She said that Urban Unit has launched a dedicated mobile application through which field survey teams including representatives of Agriculture Department, Pak Army, Patwaris, Urban Unit officials and local community leaders are uploading photographic evidence of damaged houses and crops to ensure that aid reaches the genuine deserving families.
She advised FCCI officials to coordinate closely with concerned Deputy Commissioners or Assistant Commissioners to ensure that FCCI relief assistance is delivered effectively to the rightful beneficiaries.
Later, Maulana Arif led a prayer while Senior Vice President FCCI Naveed Akram Sheikh, Vice President Engineer Asim Munir, Rana Muhammad Sikandar Azam Khan, Hajji Muhammad Aslam Bhalli, Shahid Majeed, Arif Ehsan Malik, Abdullah Qadri and other notable personalities from various organizations were also present on the occasion.