News Desk - What can Urban Designers and Architects do in the calamity of the Devastating Floods in Pakistan

The climate is becoming detrimental, a third of Pakistan is flooded. Was it due to Climate change? More than a thousand people died, and millions of homes were destroyed. 

Many NGO's got into action to help. The Unicef, AnglicanAids, Islamic Relief, Unite for Change and many other organizations started to give aid and asked for donations. How are the aids and donations going to be disbursed to reach those who needed help? Many questions remain as questions, but the works need to be done. What can Urban Designers and Architects do? 

On the 28th of August I received a whatsapp message from Ar Tariq  

Repubished below

‘INTBAU Pakistan’ has begun a Shelter Program for flood-hit families in Sindh. Architect Yasmeen Lari’s video message lays out the specifics and technicalities of this initiative (attached).

Those interested in contributing to these ‘Prefab Bamboo Shelters’ (Rs: 25,000/- per unit), can review this self-explanatory video and proceed directly to donations - or send an email to any Trustee, indicating their interest and confirmation of the amount. 

Currently, we are working within certain earmarked areas in Sindh and have already started building 100 shelters through our technical teams. 

We hope to expand soon and reach out to other areas as our capacity permits.

Architect Yasmeen Lari (video) has requested that funds should be transferred through ‘online/cheques/cash’ in the following account: 

Akbar Foundation 

Account Number: 1003-0081-074771-01-2

Bank Al Habib Limited 

Shahrah-e-Faisal Branch, Karachi

Pakistan.

INTBAU’s flood relief shelter program has no political affiliation. People/Organisations are encouraged to replicate this program on their own.

Thank you.

Murad Jamil

Trustees: 

Ar. Yasmeen Lari - Founder 

(yasmeen.lari@gmail.com) cc only.

Ar. Murad Jamil - Chairperson 

(architectmuradjamil@gmail.com)

Ar. Khadija Jamal - Vice Chairperson

(khadija.jamalshaban @gmail.com)

Shanaz Ramzi - Hon. Secretary

(Shanaz.ramzi@starlinks.pk)

Hadi Ali Rizvi - Treasurer 

(hadi@pcigroup.com.pk)

Ar. Asad I.A. Khan - Member

(asadismailkhan@gmail.com)

Ar. Tariq Alexander Qaiser - Member 

(taqaiser@gmail.com)

Ar. Sadia Fazli - Member

(sadiafazli@gmail.com)

International Network for Traditional Building, Architecture & Urbanism (INTBAU). Pakistan.

Address: INTBAU PK Camp Office 

E-6, 4th Gizri Street, Phase IV

Defence Housing Authority

Karachi 75000, Pakistan.

For updates on this relief effort:

GoTo:  Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/intbaupakistan

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/intbaupk

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/intbaupakistan/

Web:

https://intbau.org.pk

I was inspired by these Parkistani architects, they got together, planned, designed, and garnered donation to systematically complete and install 1000 shelters. In the process they also trained master carpenters who inturn would train others. They achieved the result as planned. We have a lot to learn from them. 

I was happy to received this on the 11th of Sept, 2022 from Ar Tariq.

A humbled THANK YOU to all that are contributing effort and funds for flood relief. It’s been inspirational.

I would like to show you how the shelters you have helped build are put together. A detailed report on the relief works completed to date will be posted soon. 

Our first phase plan at INTBAU is to install 1000 shelters for flood relief. These can be moved to the recipients homes and made permanent when the water recedes. 

The shelters are given and registered to the ladies of the affected families. Their empowerment is critical…

Funding for the 1000 shelters is in place and we at INTBAU are not accepting funds for additional shelters at this time. Any further donations will be used for toilets, kitchens, and most importantly trainings of artisans and carpenters to become master trainers. 

There is so much to do… we have to assist local communities to rebuild their own lives. Self empowerment is a skill most needed… especially by ourselves.

The men cut and assemble the bamboo kits, the ladies weave the reed matting’s. 

So many people involved and so many skills to be learnt… 

by all of us.

Thank you Mrs Yasmeen Lari. 

You too are an inspiration…

Tariq Alexander Qaiser

11 September 2022

More links

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpObo8z1RiE
2. WHAT THE WORLD CAN LEARN FROM THE DEVASTATING FLOODS IN PAKISTAN