JEDDAH: The Secretary-General of the International Islamic Relief Organization (IIRO) has called for a special fund to honor the “flood heroes” who sacrificed their lives to save many from the recent torrential rains and flash floods in Jeddah.
Adnan Khalil Basha said this included the Pakistani martyr Farman Ali Khan, who died after rescuing 14 people from drowning.
“IIRO is ready to donate SR1 million to the proposed fund which could be managed by one of the concerned government ministries such as interior or social affairs,” he told Arab News. Basha urged all wealthy and able people to donate, adding it was the least they could do to express thanks to the heroes of Nov. 25.
The secretary-general hit back at claims that the IIRO was slow to help flood victims in Jeddah, describing them as “untrue and baseless.” “Since the very second day of the tragedy we have been at the heart of the crisis and without publicizing ourselves,” he said.
Basha said it was not possible for them to reach their offices on the first day because the organization’s headquarters were flooded.
“Before receiving any donations, we had earmarked SR10 million from our own resources to help flood victims. We have a strategic storage of relief materials at our stores in Al-Khomrah district in south Jeddah, which we resorted to because wholesale shops were closed for the Eid Al-Adha holidays,” he recalled.
Basha expressed anguish at claims that the IIRO was an international organization that was not concerned with local relief work. “We disregarded such utterances and immediately moved to provide assistance to the residents of Jeddah during this natural calamity,” he said.
Basha said through coordination with the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, IIRO distributed more than 1,570 food baskets among 4,000 families. Clothes were also handed out.
The secretary-general revealed that through coordination with the Civil Defense, the IIRO provided accommodation for 45 foreign families in furnished apartments, before Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah had issued a royal directive to accommodate all flood victims regardless of race or nationality.
The secretary-general said IIRO’s relief activities covered 12 hard-hit districts including Al-Jamia, Al-Thagr and Al-Suleimaniyah in addition to three new areas: Um Al-Salam, Bahrah and Kilo 14.
He said through coordination with the Health Affairs Department, IIRO has set up four clinics in the Ghulail and Quwaiza districts to provide medical services.
“Through coordination with the Department of Education, we will provide further support in the form of clothes, books and stationery for 5,000 male students in Jeddah. We are still waiting for the Department for Girl’s Education to provide us with the names of students who are in need of our help,” he said.
Basha also expressed readiness to repair around 500 homes damaged by the rains and the floods.
“Our work in this area will consist of pumping out water, repairing toilets, painting walls and providing furniture, refrigerators, air conditioners, and other items,” he said. He added that IIRO has bought 200 rugs at the cost of SR200,000 for residents in Kilo 14 district.
