Today is blog quake day!
Eighteen days after a massive 7.6 earthquake devastated northern Pakistan and India, bloggers across the globe are uniting today to keep the relief efforts strong as the media focus fades.
The death toll has risen to over 79,000 women, children, & men. Two to three million people are homeless with the harsh Himalayan winter approaching. Over 970 aftershocks, ranging up to 6.0 on the Richter scale, have hit the region since the October 8th quake.
We're blessed to be safe in our homes with the cozy holiday season around the corner, able to save lives with the mere click of a mouse - just as easily as we buy books and clothes for ourselves online everyday.
Here are six ways (including two free ways) we can help today:
* Wear a hecka cool T-shirt or nifty button. They make great presents for birthdays & the upcoming Eid & holiday season. All proceeds go to the Edhi Foundation.
* Sponsor an orphan. In the chaos separating families, the danger of child trafficking and prostitution has skyrocketed. Protect a child today through Islamic Relief.
* Pitch a tent for a family of 5-7 made homeless after the quake through the CARE International Council for Pakistan. They'll need the shelter in the 11 feet of snow the winter can bring.
* Empty your change jar for the outstanding and tireless Edhi Foundation. Even a small dollar gift will go far in rupees (US$1 = Pk Rs. 60). For $5 you can provide a blanket. For $22.50 you can provide a food packet for 7 days as per UN standards. And, it's all tax deductible.
*Free!* Clean out your overflowing closet/garage & drop-off at the Hidaya Foundation in Milpitas, CA. If you have new or used :: Blankets :: Sleeping Bags :: Tarps :: Jackets :: Pullovers :: Shawls/Scarfs :: Ski Caps :: Socks :: Shoes :: they will ship them to Pakistan at no cost to you.
*Free!* Simply click your mouse & help a Pakistani child through The Child Site, and Click for Charity. Email the links to your friends and bookmark to support once every 24 hours!
Please keep the deceased & the survivors in your prayers and join the international relief effort today. Thank you for your caring & compassion.
(Thanks to Desi Pundit for organizing this & a solidarity shout-out to Shabina, Sohnii, Sume, OG, Raven, Sepoy, Yasmine, Leila who SINGS IT sharp & true, Basil, Estarz, Abdul-Halim, & Emullah (& so many others) for stepping up, posting, & spreading the good word.)
Without tents or even sleeping bags to protect them from the elements, Kashmiri earthquake survivors sleep on boulders in the Neelum Valley outside of Muzaffarabad, Pakistan.
6 comments:
I've placed my Blog Quake Day post
Referring to yer post about giving blood...
The Muslim body here had just recently sanctioned giving blood as "permissible" (about 2/3 years ago).
Apparently there were doubts in our community about the permissibilty?
Now, the Muslim body is also encouraging organ donations even.
Unfortunately, there are people still not making that effort to come forward.
Why?
Asking myself that - I can only conclude that I am selfish and shallow.
Thank you for hitting me on the head. I needed that.
You rock Baraka. It's hard to beieve it was just 18 days ago. with the way the media makes it seem. It's a thing of long ago... thanks for reminding the world.
Salaams OG & Aisha,
Thanks OG for blogging about it!
And you aren't selfish or shallow at all! It's human nature to some degree to not think about something until it directly effects us. It's also the majesty of the human spirit that rises to action once that connection is made.
And Aisha, I agree. It's almost impossible to find news on the current situation anymore. I hope that this will inspire people to do something, even just click on the free sites.
Warmly,
B
Will it really make a difference? :(
People like yourself prove that there is beauty in the world.
Peace.
Salaams R & E,
R, we gotta hope & keep trying. Even if we reach one more person today it makes a difference.
E, thank you - as do you!
Warmly,
B
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