GiftsBy Michael MacLeod
The Guardian (Edinburgh), August 31, 2010
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Edinburgh-based charity leader Mervyn Lee is in Pakistan this week helping those affected by the devastating flood waters.
His relief agency, Mercy Corps, helped the capital to raise nearly half a million pounds for the Haiti earthquake aid effort in January.
Now the organisation, based in Sciennes, is again calling on Edinburgh residents and businesses to donate to an urgent appeal.
They have joined forces with the Edinburgh Disaster Response Committee to help the people of Pakistan recover from the floods.
All money raised will go toward building 50 sustainable water sources across the country.
Mr Lee is overseeing the charity's distribution of emergency aid on the ground in the form of food, water, clean-up equipment and health clinics.
His colleague John Cunningham explained why the money would be spent in such a specific way.
He said: "Access to clean water is critical to prevent potentially lethal water-borne diseases like cholera spreading, particularly in areas overcrowded with those made homeless by the flood waters. If untreated, cholera can kill a child in less than 24 hours. The floods have had a huge impact on the whole of Pakistan, and there's a real risk that water-borne disease could take hold and make this tragedy even worse as the months go on.
"Immediate emergency aid is crucial, but it is just as important to make sure that people have access to clean water supply once the flood waters recede and the recovery and rebuild effort begins.
"With the help and generosity of the people of Edinburgh, we will build 50 lasting, sustainable water sources that will benefit more than 50,000 people in Pakistan. It will have a real impact that will still be felt for years to come, and will be one that the people of the Capital can be extremely proud of."
Mercy Corps has been operating in Pakistan since 1986, in many of the communities hardest-hit by this year's floods.
Edinburgh's Lord Provost George Grubb, who chairs the Edinburgh Disasters Response Committee locals were traditionally generous in tough times.
He said: "I'm pleased to have seen fast action from the British Government and aid agencies to deal with the immediate impact of this disaster. I would ask the people of Edinburgh to give everything they can to support Mercy Corps' efforts to provide assistance to communities beginning the long process of recovery. It will make a real difference to the lives of thousands of families in Pakistan. The capital has a long and proud tradition of reaching out to those in less fortunate circumstances, and I hope we will see that compassion and generosity in action as a response to this appeal."
Members of the Edinburgh Central Mosque have arranged a fundraising effort via Islamic Relief, which we will report more details of soon.
Meanwhile a dozen curry houses in the city will donate £1 from every dish sold to the flood victims.
Assader Ali, who owns Eastern Spices and Bollywood Bites in Cannonmills and Bombay Feast in Drylaw is behind the idea.
He will donate all cash raised to the Disasters Emergency Committee.
He said: "The idea is that every participating takeaway will donate a pound from every meal to Pakistan. We would like to invite all other restaurants and takeaways in Edinburgh, not just Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi, to join us."
Others which have joined the fundraising effort include Paprika on Ferry Road and Cinnamon on Portobello High Street.
Donations to the Edinburgh Disasters Response Committee can be made at www.mercycorps.org.uk
Read the article in full on The Guardian Edinburgh website.
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