KARACHI: Thar Foundation (TF), a nonprofit organisation established by the Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC), on Tuesday inaugurated the scheme to rehabilitate the houses affected by the fire incident in Vakrio, Islamkot, district Tharparkar.
The scheme was inaugurated, during a ceremony held in Vakrio, by TF Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Shamsuddin Ahmed Shaikh along with the Vakrio residents, a statement said.
While addressing the gathering, Shaikh said that they were under obligation to help and support the neighbours in troubled times. The villagers deserve an acclaim on facing the hardship courageously, he added.
He appreciated the work of the Village Organisation Committee, calling it ‘exemplary’ in providing the community with clean drinking water and food during the rehabilitation process.
“Despite the village does not fall in Block II, where the Sindh Engro is bound to carry out its activities, the Thar Foundation extended support to the community on humanitarian grounds, and shall continue to do so in future as well,” Shaikh added.
Speaking at the occasion, Thar Foundation Chief Operating Officer Brigadier (r) Tariq Lakhiar said the rehabilitation activities were carried out in an organised manner which started with the formation of the organisation committee.
Village Organisation Committee head Akbar Ali Jhanji said that the Sindh Engro was the first to extend support in not only extinguishing the fire but also in providing food and cold drinking water which helped save many during the days of scorching heat.
It should be noted that the facts and figures collected by the revenue department hold that the houses of 274 families were burned in the fire.
As a result, Thar Foundation provided the required construction material to each family as per their need along with a month’s ration for all families. As many as 340 houses were affected by the fire in which the Foundation provided construction material for 274 houses whereas Pakistan Army provided the required material for 66 houses.
The villagers appreciated the organisation’s efforts in rehabilitating their houses in a month’s time and providing them with the food and drinking water for the said period.
