Volunteers pack vital supply for flood victims in St Albans (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Volunteers pack vital supply for flood victims in St Albans

11:00am Saturday 4th September 2010 in

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VOLUNTEERS will be busily packing boxes of vital supplies to send to the millions of people affected by Pakistan's floods.

Amina Hatia, from London Colney, has led the appeal for donations and support which has seen volunteers and businesses from across the district donating money to send 250 vital life packs to victims of the disaster.

Pakistan has been receiving aid since the floods hit at the beginning of August. The floods are the worst the country has seen in its history, leaving some 6 million homeless and a fifth of the country submerged under water.

The life packs, which contain high energy foods and drinks, will go someway in helping victims yet to reach aid camps or awaiting rescue.

The boxes - an idea inspired by the country's national airline Pakistan International Airways - are being filled today at Fleetville Primary School, Royal Road, St Albans from 3.30pm.

They will then be flown to the country to reach victims within 36 hours.

Amina said: "What initially started off as a small scale attempt by a group of like-minded individuals to help in a practical and meaningful way in light of the devastation caused by the floods, has snowballed into a community effort, marked by the generosity of individuals and companies connected to St Albans.

"It has been a real community initiative that has grown very organically, from people offering goods to help with packing or transportation and storage - it really is very heartening to see people from all walks of life come together to help and offer their skills."

The campaign's overwhelming support from local people and businesses has meant the initial target of sending 50 packs has soared to 250, and the figure is likely to continue rising.

The packs also contain vital items such as soap, a sheet and Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) which are essential with ever-increasing threat of the spread cholera due to dirty flood waters.