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FOCUS Humanitarian Assistance

Focus Humanitarian Assistance ( FOCUS )

Focus Humanitarian Assistance is an international group of agencies established in Europe, North America and South Asia to complement the provision of emergency relief, principally in the developing world. It helps people in need reduce their dependence on humanitarian aid and facilitates their transition to sustainable self-reliant, long-term development. Focus Humanitarian Assistance is affiliated with the Aga Khan Development Network, a group of institutions working to improve opportunities and living conditions, for people of all faiths and origins, in specific regions of the developing world. Underlying the establishment of FOCUS by the Ismaili Muslim community is a history of successful initiatives to assist people struck by natural and man-made disasters in South and Central Asia, and Africa.

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Afghanistan - Collaborating with UN-WFP
As autumn began, FOCUS and the UN World Food Programme partnered to ensure close to 1,000 MT of food was able to reach isolated communities living in districts of north-eastern Afghanistan. (Click on photo for more information)

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Latest News

FOCUS News Update, Spring 2008

FOCUS News Update, Winter 2007

FOCUS News Update, August-September 2007

FOCUS News Update, July 2007

FOCUS News Update, May - June 2007

FOCUS News Update, April 2007

Focus Humanitarian Assistance's work in the Lake Sarez region of Tajikistan will be featured in a BBC World Service Earth Report documentary entitled "Disaster Class", which will be shown on the following dates (all times are GMT; please consult local listing for times in your area):

18 November 2006, Saturday at 2130
19 November 2006, Sunday at 1130
20 November 2006, Monday at 0230

The documentary focuses on how schools can help populations prepare for natural disasters: "Natural disasters may be unavoidable but when at-risk populations are informed, and prepared, the loss of life and devastation caused by disasters can be reduced dramatically. Earth Report visits Cuba, Tajikistan and Thailand to look at how education and awareness can make the difference between life and death." For more information, please see the BBC World Service.

In the News: River Deep, Mountain High, Marie Claire - Article on female members of a search-and-rescue programme for Focus Humanitarian Assistance: "At the bottom of the mountain, Alam and Fatima remove their climbing gear. The sense of urgency has dissipated, and the women eagerly rehash the details of their latest rescue mission... Both Alam, 30, and Fatima, 35, are members of a search-and-rescue program for Focus Humanitarian Assistance, an emergency-response group affiliated with the Aga Khan Development Network, a group of international private agencies working to improve living conditions and opportunities in the developing world."

Focus and AKDN Contribute to Helping Lebanese Families in Syria and Photographs, 21 August 2006

Hike4Life is an annual fundraising event organised by Focus Humanitarian Assistance.This year, Hike4Life will be held in the lush greenery of Madagascar. For further information please visit www.hike4life.net

Focus Humanitarian Assistance (FOCUS) Pakistan Receives Earthquake Relief Award,
30 June 2006

Focus Humanitarian Assistance Provides Support to Thousands in Pakistan, October 2005

Focus Mobilises for Asia Earthquake, 14 October 2005

FOCUS Humanitarian Assistance Mobilises for Tsunami disaster Relief, 10 January 2005

FOCUS and World Bank Agree Natural Hazard and Poverty Reduction Porject for High Mountain Areas, 2 March 2004

Humanitarian Assistance for Afghanistan by FOCUS, 5 October 2001


October 2005: Focus Humanitarian Assistance
provides support to thousands in Pakistan

Focus Humanitarian Assistance has been playing a critical role in coordinating and assisting emergency relief operations in the aftermath of the earthquake which struck several parts of Pakistan on 8th October 2005.

Through the rapid mobilisation of search and rescue teams, and the assistance of four AKDN helicopters, two of which were especially flown in from Tajikistan, FOCUS has been able to provide staple food items to thousands of victims as well as transport survivors requiring urgent medical assistance.

CRISIS RESPONSE UPDATE - 19 Oct 2005



PBS: Online NewsHour

Toronto Star: Refugees stream out of ghost town

CNN Video Report

CTV News: Matt McClure reports from Pakistan

UNHCR staff working with AKDN

Current Situation ( ReliefWeb )

FOCUS mobilises support for thousands affected
by Asia earthquake


Aga Khan Announces Support
for Relief Assistance


Aga Khan University Hospital Response

Slideshow

One of four AKDN helicopters delivering aid and ferrying medical workers to the Northern Areas of Pakistan

 

 



















Islamabad, Pakistan, 24 November 2005 - FOCUS Pakistan recently escorted UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, Ms. Angelina Jolie to Pakistan's earthquake-affected areas. Travelling with Mr Brad Pitt, Ms Jolie surveyed the affected areas of Batangi, Gari Habibullah and Balakot, in Pakistan administered Kashmir and spoke with survivors of the earthquake temporarily housed in UNHCR centres. Ambassador Jolie was briefed on the evacuations, food distribution and emergency relief operations implemented by FOCUS since the 8 October tragedy, and of AKDN’s extensive multi-sectoral approach to development.




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