Aid en route to Pakistan
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Hundreds of tons of life-saving food and provisions that were once housed at the LDS Bishop's Storehouse on Salt Lake City's west side are now en route to flood-ravaged Pakistan.
On Friday, forklift operators at the massive storehouse filled 10 tractor-trailers with 400,000 pounds of humanitarian supplies. The relief shipment will ultimately be transported to Pakistan via ship and is expected to arrive in about four weeks. The LDS Church is partnering in this effort with Islamic Relief USA, a charitable organization that is covering the shipment's transportation costs and will direct its distribution once it arrives in Pakistan.
The Middle Eastern nation is reeling from its worst flooding in recent history. Some 20 million people have been affected by the widespread inundation and an estimated 8 million remain in urgent need, according to LDS Humanitarian Emergency Response manager Nate Leishman.
"This is actually a larger disaster than the Haiti earthquake," said Brother Leishman.
Friday's humanitarian shipment included pallets laden with rice, beans, powdered milk, the Church-developed foodstuff Atmit, blankets, medical supplies and hygiene items.
The Church has also assisted in Pakistan in recent weeks by donating money to buy humanitarian good in country. Brother Leishman said LDS welfare officials have worked with government officials in Pakistan to identify items most desperately needed. He praised the efforts of partners such as Islamic Relief USA and other charitable organizations.
"It's critical that we have good partners," he said.
The humanitarian crisis in Pakistan is not expected to end any time soon. "I think we'll be assisting in Pakistan for several months to come," added Brother Leishman.
While the LDS Church does not have a large presence in Pakistan, it has been quick to provide humanitarian assistance in the past when disasters strike. The Church donated food and medical supplies to the region in 2005 following a 7.6-magnitude earthquake.
Brother Leishman said such donations are possible thanks to the generosity of Church members and others who contribute to the Church's humanitarian fund.
