Dear alumni and friends,
Hurricane Harvey has brought devastation to Texas of a magnitude not seen before. It has affected many, including our AKU Alumni and the Pakistani community. As the storm continues, our thoughts are with them and all affected by the hurricane. A large number of people are displaced and seeking shelter in other cities. Hospitals are being evacuated in an effort to keep patients and the vulnerable safe.
The AKUAANA Executive Council had an emergency meeting tonight, which was also attended by the incoming Executive Council. We were also able to get a few Alumni from Houston on the call, including Nooruddin Punjwani (’95), Faisal Cheema (’00), Athar Qureshi (’96) and Rizwan Khalid (’99). An AKUAANA Hurricane Harvey Task Force has been formed on an urgent basis, which is in communication with alumni in the affected areas around the clock, and are working on supporting our alumni who have been affected by Hurricane Harvey. The Task Force has formulated a working plan, divided into two phases.
PHASE 1 – Assuring safety of, and offering immediate assistance to our alumni
AKUAANA’s immediate response is to make sure our alumni are safe and to help them in any way possible in this difficult situation. AKU Alumni residing in Houston have volunteered in helping other AKU alumni with immediate relief including accommodation. Nooruddin Punjwani ’95, Athar Qureshi ’96, Faisal Cheema ’00 have volunteered to help in this regard. Any AKU alumni in need of help or who would like to volunteer, please contact me directly at president@akuaana.org
We are also developing a list of all the AKU alumni in Houston and surrounding areas. We would greatly appreciate if alumni living in the affected areas who get our message to please reach out to us with their information and also give information of other alumni in their area. This will help AKUAANA’s current efforts to reach out to our alumni by calling them individually, and making sure that they are safe or whether they need help and assistance.
PHASE 2 – Medical Volunteering
Some of us may want to participate in medical volunteering. For those who do, one option available to us is through APPNA via their Medical Corp Volunteer Program which may include medical assistance or distribution of goods etc. To sign up as a volunteer, please visit: APPNA Medical Corps Volunteer Registration for Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief (link expired).
PHASE 3 – Public Donations
If you wish to support relief efforts in the region you can donate through APPNA and indicate your AKU alumni status at:
https://www.instantreg.com/appnatemplate2/public-donations-2017
OR
There are several reputable organizations accepting contributions. These include:
American Red Cross
United Way of Greater Houston
The Dallas Foundation
SPCA of Texas
Our thoughts are with the AKU families and thousands of people who have been directly impacted, as well as with those whose families and friends live in the region.
Stay safe.
AKUAANA Hurricane Harvey Disaster Task Force
Habib Chotani: President, AKUAANA
Namirah Jamshed: President Elect, AKUAANA
Rehan Khan: Secretary, AKUAANA
Amber Syed: Treasurer, AKUAANA
Noor Afshan Khan: Incoming Secretary, AKUAANA
Faisal Cheema: Incoming Treasurer AKUAANA (residing in Houston)
Athar Qureshi: AKUAANA member (residing in Houston)
Nooruddin Punjwani: AKUAANA member (residing in Houston)
Abdul Basit Saeed: Web Manager, AKUAANA