Services of FOCUS volunteers recognized

CHITRAL, Oct 30: The FOCUS Humanitarian Organization held a function here to recognize the services of volunteers in helping people in times of calamities. Volunteers from different parts of Chitral valley from Broghil to Arandu and Garam Chashma to Madak Lsatht were at the ‘Volunteer Recognition Day’ programme given away certificates and shields by representatives of different departments and Ismaili institutions. Those present on the occasion included Ismaili Council lower Chitral president Muhammad Afzal, Dr Noorul Islam, Muhammad Darjat, ACs Minhas Ali, Mazhar Ali Shah; and Karam Ali. Speakers on the occasion stressed the need to create awareness among the general public to cope with any emergency-like situation. They also asked the volunteers to always remain ready to help humanity in times of crises. In areas such as Chitral,  there are always  chances of  natural calamities such as earthquakes, floods and landsliding are always and the role of rescue volunteers increases manifold. As there is no rescue department at the public sector, Focus is playing in key role in imparting training and engaging volunteers from the local communities, especially the youth, and training them besides creating awareness among the people. As part of the efforts to create resilient communities, FOCUS not only trains local communities in search and rescue operations but also establishes community stockpiles by storing limited quantities of non-food items to help local communities cope with sudden, small scale, disasters locally. ]]>