Four Members of the European Parliament Jurgen Creutzmann (photo), Michael Theurer, Marietje Schaake and Thomas Mann decided to directly help the flood victims of the Pakistan-administered region of Gilgit Baltistan, north of Kashmir, as soon as it became evident that the central Pakistani government was not distributing the international funds arriving in Islamabad to this region. The European Parliament Members therefore created a non-profit organisation named "Friends of Gilgit Baltistan". "When I learnt that the Pakistani government was doing nothing to help this hard hit region, I decided to create a non-profit organisation in order to be able to collect funds for the 15,000 or so displaced people of the region of Gilgit Baltistan", explained Jurgen Creutzmann, the president of the newly created organisation.
Ms Schaake added: "It is only by transferring the collected monetary means directly to humanitarian NGOs in the region that we can truly ensure that the funds reach those most in need. People in need should not become the victims of political problems on top of their humanitarian suffering. Children are especially vulnerable in the aftermath of disasters."
Michael Theurer agreed with the others and said: "We have to help ensure that international aid reaches all affected by the floods; the Pakistani government should feel an equal responsibility for all its citizens."
"What we are doing is true activism and not just empty talk, as so many politicians love to do. That makes me proud and I hope that we could reduce the plight of the people of Gilgit Baltistan a little", Thomas Mann said.
Source: Friends of Gilgit Baltistan, European Parliament
