COVID-19 pandemic presented a massive challenge. This extraordinary situation impacted the developing and rich countries alike. In this context, both in Pakistan and the United States of America the vulnerable were hit disproportionately. In order to taper, COVID19 effects of and help those in need, the Pakistani-American community in Houston came forward. Most Pakistani organizations joined by the Consulate General of Pakistan spearheaded the efforts.
Alliance for Disaster Relief COVID-19 Response was formed to galvanize community efforts in the face of the pandemic. Not only the Alliance for Disaster Relief (AFDR) brought relief at the doorstep to the communities in Houston, they went along credible organizations in Pakistan to send relief.
The patron and a top donor for Alliance (AFDR) remain Syed Javaid Anwar, President and CEO, Midland Energy, whose generous contributions of over half US$1 million were the mainstay of the efforts of the Alliance. Food and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) drives were joined by political and civic authorities and community leaders wholeheartedly.
President Karachi-Houston Sister Association Muhammad Saeed Shaikh coordinated and played a pivotal role. Consul General of Pakistan in Houston Honorable Abrar H Hashmi was at the forefront and led the efforts. Pakistan Association of Greater Houston, Ibne Sina Foundation, Helping Hands, APPNA South Texas, ICNA Relief and other organizations collaborated.
The following are the major activities spearheaded by the Alliance
Pakistan Center Food Pantry:
A Food Pantry was established at the Pakistan Center run by the Pakistan Association of Greater Houston in collaboration with the Alliance. The Consul General, Abrar H. Hashmi, inaugurated the food pantry on March 27, 2020. More than 2,000 packages of essential food items were distributed for ten days to families in need. APPNA South Texas and Friends of Karachi generously contributed to these efforts. President PAGH, Haroon Sheikh, and Pantry Coordinator, Mian Nazeer, were very instrumental in achieving this task.
PPE Donation to City of Houston:
In response to the Mayor of Houston’s call for PPE Donation Drive, on April 08, 2020 AFDR donated one pallet of PPE products worth U.S. $15,000, and a cash donation of US$ 10,000.00 to Project C.U.R.E.
PPE Donation for Fort Bend County:
The Alliance on April 16, 2020 joined Congressman Al Green, Mayors of Houston, Stafford, Missouri City, Sugar Land, and County Judge efforts in organizing the PPE Donation Drive for the healthcare professionals and first responders, and donated U.S.$20,000.00 worth of PPE products. The efforts supported by the Greater Houston Retailers Charitable Foundation and Mr. Amir Makhani of Dallas.
Food & Safety Kits distribution Drive-Thru:
The Alliance and Ibne Sina Foundation organized a Food Drive on April 18, 2020. Food products and PPE safety kits were distributed among 1,000 families. Congressman Al-Green and Consul General Abrar Hashmi joined these efforts. The Food Drive, aimed to mitigate the impact of financial hardships affecting the communities during the global pandemic and lock down to prevent the propagation of COVID-19. CEO, Midland Energy, Mr. Syed Javed Anwar, funded this response effort and was supported by Chairman Mr. Nasru Rupani of Ibne Sina Foundation and Houston Food Bank. Ibne Sina employees volunteered to manage this drive very efficiently.
Donation to Collaborating organizations COVID-19 Relief Projects:
The Alliance extended financial support to major organizations on behalf of Mr. Syed Javaid Anwar. The following organizations were provided checks for U.S.$50,000 to the Texas Food Bank through the Governor of Texas, U.S.$5,000 to Houston Food Bank, U.S.$10,000 to Project C.U.R.E., and U.S.$5,000.00 to ICNA Relief.
Groceries Distribution in Northern Pakistan:
Alongside help locally in Texas, AFDR also helped vulnerable in Pakistan and organized food distribution drives during Ramadan in Districts D.I. Khan and Abbottabad in KPK, Pakistan from May 05, to 10, 2020. This was a collaboration with Helping Hands for relief and Development in Pakistan to ease several hundreds of family difficulties caused by the pandemic during Ramadan under lock down.
Donation to PM Pakistan Relief Fund for COVID-19:
The Alliance continues its work beyond the U.S., as it contributes to our motherland, Pakistan. Chief Patron, Mr. Syed Javaid Anwar, donated U.S. $200,000 to “Pakistan Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for COVID-19”. The check was presented to the Consul General Abrar H. Hashmi on May 27, 2020 at the ceremony coordinated by Sister Cities of Houston and Houston-Karachi Sister Cities Association.
Houston “Virtual” Iftar with Mayor:
An innovative “Virtual Iftar” was hosted on May 09, 2020 with the Mayor of Houston by Abu Dhabi, Baku, Basrah, Istanbul and Karachi Sister City Associations, Islamic Society of Greater Houston, His Highness Aga Khan Council and other organizations. Over 2,000 families joined this collaborative and unique event and collected freshly cooked Iftar food. The program was broadcast live on TV & many social Media. Houstonians and people from all over North America joined in celebrating the diversity of this unique celebration.
ICNA Relief Eid Gift Drive:
The Alliance participated in ICNA Relief Eid Gift Drive on May 22, 2020 and distributed 500 families with PPE Kits.Consul General of Pakistan also joined ICNA Relief in distribution of lots of gift items which include fresh food, kitchenware, clothing, and other necessary items. ICNA Relief officials Shabbir Hassan, Semi Bukhari, ILyas Choudry, and many volunteer’s dynamism were unmatched in organizing this activity.
Donation to The Citizens Foundation-Pakistan:
Chief Patron Houston Karachi Sister City Association, Mr. Syed Javaid Anwar, donated on May 22, 2020 U.S. $200,000 to The Citizens Foundation’s Appeal to help mitigate the devastating impact of the COVID-19 crises in Pakistan. This contribution aims to provide relief to families in the most vulnerable communities facing extreme economic hardships, and supports front line healthcare professionals and Volunteers with PPE Products.
Free COVID Testing Drive:
With partial reopening after long lock down, it was imperative to provide easy testing facilities.To fulfill this most important need of the community, the Alliance for Disaster Relief collaborated with Harris County Public Health and Islamic Society of Greater Houston in organizing a week long “Free COVID-19 Test” Site from July 13, till July 17, 2020 at the Bear Creek Islamic Center. The effort will continue in organizing Testing Sites in mosques all around County in the coming months.
PPE Distribution at Hope For Venezuelan Refugees project
The Alliance For Disaster Relief (AFDR) and Houston-Karachi Sister City Association (HKSCA) donated 2,000 face masks and 2,000 pairs of gloves to the Rotary Club collaborated Hope For Venezuelan Refugees project efforts to help prevent de propagation of COVID-19 in Colombia.
The face masks were distributed to the Venezuelan refugees, and hospital workers.
Muhammad Saeed Sheikh, Coordinator, AFDR was recognized by Government of Pakistan on “Foreign Minister’s Honours List 2020”
Muhammad Saeed Sheikh was recognized by Government of Pakistan on "Foreign Minister's Honours List 2020” on the occasion of the Independence Day of Pakistan:
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs honoured expatriate Pakistanis around the world on Thursday for their outstanding services in addressing the global Corona Virus pandemic. The 'Foreign Minister Honours List' was announced at a ceremony headed by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi at the ministry. Participants were invited to join in through webinar the link as the session live streamed on Facebook.
Muhammad Saeed Sheikh, President of Houston Karachi Sister City Association & Coordinator, Alliance for Disaster Relief, Nasru Rupani, Chairman Ibn Sina Foundation and Dr.Asim Shah were among 86 Pakistanis who were featured on the list honouring their services during the pandemic. Qureshi lauded their services and commended them for being true ambassadors of the country.
Among those honoured, in the first category were those who risked their lives during the pandemic and died in the service of humanity, in the second category were health workers and doctors who rendered exemplary services, in the third were those involved in relief efforts during the pandemic, the fourth featured overseas Pakistanis who worked with Pakistani embassies around the world to serve the Pakistani community, the fifth category included overseas social organizations which aided expatriates in different countries. Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Andleeb Abbas, Foreign Secretary Sohail Abbas and other officials from the ministry were also present at the ceremony.
Mr. Sheikh, while thanking the Government of Pakistan, acknowledged this, as an incredible honor to be recognized in the first “Foreign Minister’s Honours List”. Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi, who took this initiative and proudly recognized the contributions of extraordinary members of the Pakistani diaspora who showed great leadership, courage and selflessness during the COVID-19 global pandemic, demonstrating exceptional contribution to their local communities. He also paid special tribute to Mr. Syed Javaid Anwar for his generous support and Hon. Consul General Abrar H Hashmi for spearheading Alliance for Disaster COVID-19 Relief Efforts” and appreciate all Collaborating Organizations, Donors, Coordinating Committee, Volunteers and media.
The Consul General Abrar Hashmi of Pakistan-Houston hosted a Ceremony on the occasion of Pakistan Independence Day and Presented the Commendation Award to Muhammad Saeed Sheikh, Nasru Rupani & Dr. Asim Shah.
Many elected officials and community leaders, including Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Congressman Al Green, Ambassador of Pakistan to Bahrain H.E. Afzaal Mahmood, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzales, business & Community leaders Dr. Ashraf Abbasi, M. J. Khan, Haroon Sheikh, Dr. Mirza Ikhtiar Baig, Majyd Aziz, and media outlets congratulated Mr. Sheikh on this distinctive honor.
Sheikh, earlier this year Coordinated “Alliance for Disaster COVID-19 Relief Efforts benefiting Community in USA & in Pakistan.The Relief efforts include a Food / Grocery Distribution, PPE Donation to Mayor Houston Drive, Houston “Virtual “ Iftar with the Mayor, Donation of $200,000.00 from Syed Javaid Anwar to PM Relief Fund for COVID- 19, Free COVID-19 Testing, PPE donation to Congressman Al Green drive for Fort Bend County, PPE Safety Kits Distribution to Community members, Grocery distribution in Northern Pakistan, PPE distribution in Karachi and funding to COVID-19 Relief projects of Project C.U.R.E, Texas and Houston Food Bank, ICNA Relief, Helping Hand USA & Rotary International.
Sheikh is a recipient of U.S. Civil Honor “The Presidents Lifetime Achievement Award”in 2018. He has also served as President of Pakistan Junior Chamber, Pakistan Chamber of Commerce-USA. His leadership was recognized by Sister Cities International Circle of Distinguished Volunteers, City of Houston, and the US Congress.
Work Continues:
The Alliance for Disaster Relief (AFDR) during COVID-19 work will continue during and in the post-COVID period.We pray the pandemic subsides. While the community’s selfless service, innovative ideas, collaborations and the spirit of helping others was on display, AFDR response has touched many lives, when it was needed the most. That is the biggest contribution. During this pandemic, along with health workers, law enforcers, the volunteers have done a remarkable job. Pakistan’s celebrated values of hospitality and charity were on display in Houston and elsewhere in their adopted countries. Where such efforts help smoothen the social inequalities and promote the spirit of sacrifice, it also provides a strong bond for mutual harmony, inclusivity and fraternity among the society. It is indeed a display of the dynamism of Pakistani-American diaspora. They were admired for their active participation in various food, PPE, and testing drives. Accolades from media, political, civic and community leaders in the United States of America and Pakistan encourage the donors, organizers and volunteers.
