On September 08, 2006, torrential rains hit Sindh killing hundreds of people as flood- water inundated their homes. Thousands of people became homeless, schools closed down, as there was no activity in the whole district for weeks. Rainfall in Hyderabad and adjoining cities measuring 200 mm caused a state of emergency within 18 hours. Low-lying areas in Hyderabad turned into lakes as rainwater found its way into houses and commercial centres. Hyderabad is the 2nd largest city of Sindh. When one of the worst natural calamities hit Hyderabad in September 2006, it disconnected the city from the rest of the country. The whole Hyderabad district was in dire need of food, clean drinking water and quick medical aid as all the streets in the low-lying areas were filled with rainwater for weeks. The army joined hands with civic agencies and volunteers to help the needy. Vaccines and water-purifying tablets were distributed to prevent further spread of diseases, many well-to-do individuals stepped up but the sheer scope of the problem was colossal. Rain Relief Camp 2006 Realizing the gravity of the situation, the Life Sciences Business of ICI Pakistan Limited took the lead and joined in the relief efforts, especially focusing in and around its customers in Hyderabad district. An Operational Team was formed, which aimed to set up a series of medical and food camps in rain-affected areas. Employees of all three Divisions of the Business, Pharmaceuticals, Animal Health and Life Sciences, joined hands in the effort and worked tirelessly alongside the local administration. From 27 Sept to 1 Oct 2006, three types of camps (medical, food and veterinary) were set up in 5 towns, for duration of 1-2 days each. These towns were: Hyderabad, Kot Ghulam Muhammad, Juddo, Shadi Larh, Badin and Kot Jam Sahib, Nawabshah. Medical Camps Doctors treated a total of over 2500 patients in these towns. ICI representatives were present at all the locations and coordinated the efforts with the doctors and the administration. This treatment included full medical coverage i.e. medicines were distributed for complete duration of therapy. Essential medicines were distributed which included, Antibiotics, Anti Malaria, Analgesics, Anti Pyretic, Dermatological medicines etc. Due to unhygienic conditions of the entire district, people were suffering from gastro-intestinal and skin related diseases. Children being the most vulnerable were the main victims of this natural disaster. Food Camps In addition to medical facilities the poor people of the area especially the daily wagers were facing acute food shortage. Many businesses were closed and the life came to a grinding halt. To address this problem, food camps were arranged that supported around 500 families for 15 days and provided them with adequate food supplies that included: Flour, Rice, Sugar, Pulses, Oil, Milk, Tea, Salt, Red Chillies, Match Boxes etc. Veterinary Camp During the torrential rains much of the livestock had drowned or went missing. The remaining injured ones started suffering from many water borne diseases. In this regard, a veterinary camp was set up in Nawabshah. Different medicines ranging from anti-bacterial, multivitamins, analgesics to anti-endoparasite were distributed. They included Nilzan and Nilzan Bolus, Aminovital, Vetafenic, Resavil etc.
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