Australian Aid International - Newsletter


Australian Aid International e-Newsletter - May 2006
Health clininc in Kashmir administered by AAI AAI IN PAKISTAN: Revitalization Of Primary Health Care Facilities See the refurbishment at the Soli dispensary Incinerators Running Hot Incinerators for clinic infectious waste have been constructed AAI Goes To A Remote Village AAI takes the long and hardous journey to Behedi Medical Distributions Donations destributed to those who need it most Celebrity Chef Pakistani TV chef, Madam Fawzia Tariz presented three sessions to villages Hygiene Kits The long awaited UNICEF 3400 hygiene kits were delivered Voltage Stabalizers 12 volt stabilizers delivered to vaccination centers AAI Prepares To Leave	DONATIONS are the only way AAI can continue to work. AAI is a non profit organisation, which specifically targets communities that are difficult to access because of their remoteness. We urgently need funds from either private citizens, industry, or the government. Donations go straight to buying: essential medical equipment vital medicine keeping local medical clinics operating and functional fuel and vehicle maintanance to keep AAI mobile local staff such as doctors, nurses, interpreters and drivers All donations are Secure Online Donations sponsored by Click here to donate.
REVITALIZATION OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE FACILITIES
The refurbishment at the Soli dispensary is almost complete. A water tank has been built and the bathroom is under construction. Painting has been finished inside the main building with only the roof repairs remaining. Soli clinic a pleasant transformation! The 600 Gallon water tank being constructed	Mark "Squiz" Squirrell reaches Mt Everest, sponsored by AAI As stated on February 1st 2006, AAI has sponsored Mark "Squiz" Squirrell's Mt Everest attempt in support of the World Food Program 2006 Walk the World. Mark is a long time associate and supporter of AAI . The expedition will raise awareness and funds for their School Feeding Programme. Please have a look at the website http://wfp.org.np/everest/ AAI has provided medical equipment, gear and other support.. Thursday 18th May Location: Camp Four Altitude: 7900 m Last night I left Camp Four at 9:15 AM. After one hour my oxygen system malfunctioned so I then climbed without oxygen for the next two hours. These two hours were the hardest two hours in my entire life. I reached The Balcony and used the radio to talk with my expedition leader at Base Camp. He said "You're too slow, you'll have to come down and try again next week." I replied "NO WAY MATE, THE ONLY DIRECTION I'M GOING IS UP, GIVE ME ANOTHER SOLUTION!". So then my Sherpa gave me his oxygen mask and cranked it to flow rate #2. I felt better and soon reached the start of the Hilary Step. I talked on the radio with my expedition leader again who said I was too slow but allowed me to turn the oxygen flow rate to #4. I then powered up through the Hilary Step and literally ran up the summit ridge to reach the summit within an hour, reaching the summit in record time at 10:05 AM. After taking summit photos with the WFP flag and 'Walk The World' flag I descended safely to Camp Four. I'll spend another night here in the Death Zone and tomorrow descend to Camp Two, or maybe even Base Camp if possible. I still have ten fingers and toes and I'm safe. But it's not over yet.
INCINERATORS RUNNING HOT
10 of the 12 brick incinerators for clinic infectious waste have been constructed. Only the installation of steel lids remaining. The incinerator lids have a large bore 1.2 meter flu to discharge smoke at a safe height to avoid public inhalation. The steel has been difficult to source, and finally AAI has supplied local the welder with 12, 3mm steel sheets to finalise the project. An incinerator being constructed in Hillan	Australian Aid International thanks all its volunteers, supporters, and donors. Your support has helped AAI save thousands of lives in Pakistan. Your generous donations have allowed AAI to perform critical medical aid immediately after the disaster, build emergency shelters using Improved Rapid All-Weather Shelters (IRAS) and continues to expand its primary health programs throughout Kashmir.
AAI GOES TO THE REMOTE AND ISOLATED REGION OF BEHEDI
With the road to Behedi finally opened this month after being blocked by snow and landslides since December, the AAI team at Kahuta packed up the office for three days, taking along all staff. Also along for the ride was Behdi's Lady Health Supervisor, Arifa, who had not been back to Behedi since the earthquake. Whilst at Behedi the AAI team carried out the last of the deliveries of DRI donated medicines and equipment. Whilst the deliveries were taking place the training team held training sessions for 7 Lady Health Workers (LHW) covering Hygiene and Sanitation, Disease Surveillance and bird flu information. This was a significant achievement as these were all the LHW's in the local area and this was the first training they had received since well before the earthquake. A flat tyre on the return from the long trip from Behdi and carrying equipment to the clinic at Kwaja Bandi
MEDICAL DISTRIBUTIONS
DRI donated medicines and AAI purchased medical equipment deliveries were completed to the 8 remaining clinics, bringing to total of 18 clinics that received medications from DRI and medical equipment purchased from AAI funds. The team at AAI is in the process of distributing medical equipment donated by DRI to 19 clinics in the local area. The Civil Dispensary at Hillan
CELEBRITY CHEF
On the 6th and 7th of this month AAI hosted the famous Pakistani TV chef, Madam Fawzia Tariz in Kahuta. Madam Fawzia was kind enough to donate her time to present three sessions including two sessions of cooking demonstrations and nutritional information and one session on tie-dying as an income generating activity. In total 75 women from the Kahuta area attended the two day activities. This was well received by the local community and an event of such that has never occurred before in this remote region. Madam Fawzia presenting her lessons
HYGIENE KITS
The long awaited UNICEF 3400 hygiene kits were delivered to AAI for distribution this week. AAI has arranged the distribution in collaboration with union councils and other Community Based Organisations (CBO's). AAI will start delivery in the coming week to an eagerly awaiting community of whom have already completed hygiene training by the AAI training team.
VOLTAGE STABALIZERS
AAI provided twelve voltage stabilizers EPI vaccination centers to enable them to operate their medicine fridges at constant temperature. AAI was approached by Sub-district Hospital (THQ) to fill the funding gap, which would have seen the centers go without functioning fridges essentially rendering the vaccination program for the district non existent. AAI Staff Karen, Basit and Qamar deliver essential 7000W Voltage Stabilizer to Mr Aslam EPI THQ
AAI PREPARES TO LEAVE
AAI 's current DFID funded program for Community Health Initiatives is due to finish on the 31 st May 2006 . Whilst AAI are awaiting the outcome of additional proposals to potentially extend our stay, with no definite funding to extend the program the Kahuta office will complete operations on Thursday 25 May 2006 , centralizing in Islamabad until our future in Pakistan is decided.
AAI and the people of Pakistan thank you for your support and donations.
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