Thousands of people who have had their lives devastated by the unprecedented floods in Pakistan will be given emergency relief thanks to a grant of £30,000 from Freemasons in Yorkshire North and East Ridings and other Provinces across England and Wales.
More than a thousand people, including hundreds of children, have lost their lives in the disaster, and Freemasonry, through the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) and the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF, the Freemasons’ charity) is responding in partnership with the British Red Cross and UNICEF to provide emergency relief to the survivors.
An estimated 33 million people from three of the country’s four provinces have been affected by heavy rains and floods, many of them losing everything. The victims include many of the most vulnerable people in the world, including 400,000 refugees from Afghanistan.
In addition to the loss of life and destruction of homes and property, millions have lost their livelihoods. A large part of the country remains underwater, with the loss of billions of pounds of crops and the deaths of more than 700,000 livestock.
UNICEF and the British Red Cross will each be receiving £15,000 from the Freemasons for their relief efforts, which could provide clean drinking water and emergency food relief for hundreds of households, tents to provide basic shelter or mosquito nets to protect flood survivors from malaria and dengue fever.
Luke Tredget, Head of Emergencies at the British Red Cross, said:
“We’re very grateful for this generous grant which will allow us to provide immediate emergency relief to people who are in desperate need. This unprecedented disaster has devastated vast areas of the country and left millions of people in urgent need of help.”
David Chambers, Provincial Grand Master of Yorkshire North and East Ridings Freemasons, said:
“I’m very pleased we’ve been able to help UNICEF and the Red Cross with their relief effort in Pakistan. This is the most terrible situation for millions of people and I’m proud that Freemasons are providing help and support to charities on the ground working with survivors.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
The attached photograph shows people in the flooded areas of Pakistan awaiting help
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) raises funds for UNICEF’s emergency and development work for children. We also promote and protect children’s rights in the UK and internationally. We are a UK charity, entirely funded by supporters. United Kingdom Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), Registered Charity No. 1072612 (England & Wales), SC043677 (Scotland). For more information visit unicef.org.uk. Follow UNICEF UK on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and YouTube. For further information about UNICEF, please contact Talia Francis-McKenzie, Senior Media & Communications Manager, Partnerships (https://www.unicef.org.uk | TaliaFM@unicef.org.uk | @unicef_uk Tel: + 44 (0)7534 920 70)
About the British Red Cross
For over 150 years, the British Red Cross has helped people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. We are part of a global voluntary network, responding to conflicts, natural disasters and individual emergencies. We enable vulnerable people in the UK and abroad to prepare for and withstand emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, we help them recover and move on with their lives. https://www.redcross.org.uk For further information about the British Red Cross, please contact Owen Duffy on 07709 502 864 (OwenDuffy@redcross.org.uk)
About the Masonic Charitable Foundation
The Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF) is one of the largest grant-making charities in the country. Funded entirely through the generosity of Freemasons and their families, the MCF awards millions of pounds each year to local and national charities that help vulnerable people, advance medical research and provide opportunities for young people. The MCF also helps to fund vital services such as hospices and air ambulances and regularly contributes to worldwide appeals for disaster relief. In total, MCF support helps to improve the lives of thousands of people every year in England, Wales and internationally. As well as providing grants to charities, the MCF supports Freemasons and their families with a financial, health or family need. Visit www.mcf.org.uk For further information about the Masonic Charitable Foundation, please contact Guy Roberts, Press Officer (groberts@mcf.org.uk |0203 146 3311)
