PAKISTAN NEEDS TARGETED NEW ENERGY

Floods: How targeted aid can help
Rizwan Ghani, August 19, 2010 (Pakistan Observer)

"…[The] first wave of flood has crossed and in next ten days, two more floods are likely to hit the flood-affected areas. Flood relief efforts are gaining traction…seeking maximum help for Pakistan. International community is going to help…[T]argeted help for flood victims is the way forward…[S]pecific help…can make the aid cost effective, address the actual problems of the flood victims and win public appreciation…

"China is a leading country in alternate energy. By adding following things to its approved aid package it can make difference of life and death for each family…: solar mobile rechargers, solar lanterns/torches, one pedestal fan with required number of solar panels, one solar powered street lamp. To save space and transportation cost, only street lamp with solar panel can be sent. The users can erect it…Solar panels / micro wind turbines can be given to run hospitals refrigerate medicines and carry out emergency operations…"

A solar cooker for where cooking is a luxury (click to enlarge)

"Germany and UK have made tangible advances in using alternate energy for cooking purposes. It includes biogas, solar energy cookers, and coal brick fired cookers. It can help the flood victims cook food and get clean water…London Museum uses the visitors waste to generate enough biogas to fulfill its energy needs. NGOs, engineers and local carpenters can make biogas plants with bricks, in barrels and use waste from portable toilets.

"Good hygiene and sanitation will save money in terms of controlling diseases. Portable toilets can play a critical role…Europe and America are using portable toilets in public places…Portable toilets can also be made locally. The waste…can be used for biogas that in turn can be used for lighting and cooking etc. International donors need to give food that can be reconstituted like potato powder, dry milk, rusks, small packets of dates etc. The report of food poisoning of 170 flood victims shows the severity of challenge…WHO can play an important role by giving essential medicines to avert and control epidemics…[and] providing multi-vitamin tablets, ORS and liquid hand sanitizers…"

Let there be light (click to enlarge)

"Volunteers can help…People from all professions…can make their unique contributions…Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) and Council of Architects (CoA) can play a major role…[through] economic relief…[building] adobe house[s]…[and building] bridges and roads with local material…

"…[T]argeted aid can make instant difference in quality of life…[C]areful planning and timely execution of health care plan for the flood victims and animals by local health authorities and WHO can save lives and precious cattle… the livelihood of the flood victims…"

There isn't much they don't need (click to enlarge)