Afridi champions Pakistan flood victims
KARACHI Nov 30, 2012 Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi lent his
support Friday to millions of people suffering from consecutive years of
flooding, promising to continue to raise funds and awareness for their
plight.
The 32-year-old former captain visited the Basic Human Rights (BHR)
charity's one-room shelter projects in various villages in southern
Pakistan and pledged his support for housing millions of homeless
people.
"I am passionate about the relief work," Afridi told AFP on Friday.
Pakistan has suffered devastating floods in the past three years,
including the worst in its history in 2010 when catastrophic inundations
across the country killed almost 1,800 people and affected 21 million.
This year monsoon floods in Pakistan have killed 480 people and
affected more than five million, mostly in the southern province of
Sindh, according to the government.
"I appreciate this one-room shelter project, which is helping the
most vulnerable families in rebuilding their homes. Last year I helped
BHR raise funds for this project, it was good to see the outcome of that
effort," said Afridi.
Earlier this month the United Nations called on donors to find $79
million to save millions of Pakistanis affected by monsoon floods and
unrest in the northwest.
Afridi said he will continue to raise funds for flood victims.
"Wherever I play cricket, I try my level best to convince people to
come forward and help," said Afridi, who also helped the 2005 earthquake
victims in Pakistan.
AFP |