Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary Wednesday commended the Non-Governmental Organisations and volunteers for their outstanding contribution in public outreach efforts during the lockdown and restrictions put in place the district in the wake of COVID-19 containment measures.The DC expressed appreciation for NGOs and volunteers while speaking at a meeting here. ADC Srinagar Sajjad Qadri and Nodal Officer Mantasha Binte Rashid who were present in the meeting presented a detailed resume of the contribution the NGOs have made in reaching out to the people for various needs.It was informed that more than 45 NGOs have associated themselves with the district administration for providing assistance to residents in need with the assistance ranging from food kits to hygiene kits to medicines to shelter and other requirements.Representatives of NGOs including Kashmir Welfare Trust, Chinar International, Orphans in Need, Aab-e-Rawan, Suhuliyat Kashmir, Athrout, Infaq Foundation, Care International among others attended the meeting.It should be noted that these NGOs in coordination with the Coordination Cell of the district administration constituted in March prioritised different areas and target groups in the district for providing assistance to families in need. More than 15,000 people were assisted by the NGOs with food kits, ration, medical aid besides other kinds of assistance.
The Srinagar district administration also provided dedicated vehicles and a team of officers was deputed to facilitate the NGOs to assist the people. The collaboration between the NGOs and the district administration resulted in avoidance of duplication of resources and ensuring that aid reaches to all deserving families and the persons in need. Several organisations including the J&K Muslim Wlefare Foundation/Yateem Trust provided assistance in the form of cash for patients and building of quarantine centres.Speaking on the occasion the DC while appreciating the role played by the NGOs called for institutionalising this arrangement between NGOs and administration for regular outreach in order to ensure that maximum people are covered and a synergy among the organisations is ensured.During the meeting discussions were also held on issues related to cases needing support for dialysis, medicines, provision of immune boosters, hygiene kits, and reaching out to daily wage earners, widows and orphans in need.Manzoor Wangnoo (KWT), Javed Ahmed (Chinar), Mohammad Aijaz (Orphans in Need), Mir Muneeb (Aab-e-Rawaan), Salman (Sahuliyat Kashmir) and other representatives highlighted the details of work done by NGOs and expressed gratitude to the district administration for facilitation.Dr Shahid also appreciated the effective role played NGOs like Babul Uloom Educational Society, Save the Destitute Foundation, Dar ul ATTA, Voluntary Medicare Society, Serving Nations and Help Foundation among others.He also commended the dedication of young KAS officer Syed Eyad Qadri and Zahid Rashid for organising relief measures and coordination with the NGOs.