austraLasia 1283Lahore community heads out to join rescue mission on Pakistan's North West Frontier“100 boys trained in D.Bosco can do a lot of good over here”.LAHORE: 11th October 2005 -- Further news from the Don Bosco Technical and Youth Centre in Lahore indicates that they are readying themselves for immediate direct involvement in the rescue mission in the North West Frontier region of Pakistan where tens of thousands of people are dead following the weekend's massive earhtquake, and where hundreds of thousands are struggling for survival. Fr Miguel Angel writes: "As you can read here, I am leaving on a rescue mission, to prepare the logistics for our students. All help is needed in the North now! It is time to move the boys for the sake of the local people who need as much help as possible. I am just informing you that we are going to purchase as much as possible of needed items and then form a convoy with the material sent to the North by the Sisters of Jesus and Mary". He is doing this with the direct support by way of materiel.Our correspondent points out that the situation in Islamabad is chaotic: "robbing, pillaging... is now happening everywhere. Beyond Islamabad the military are not permitting any help unless escorted by military personnel, due again to the bandits. We are moving tomorrow to the city of Sialkot with the bus, the pick-up and 2 trucks. We will not be allowed even to go as far as the city of Murray. Again, the access to the affected areas is cut off from any help except through the military or with their permission. Now there is a Distribution Center there with an official NGO moving into the affected areas with their own people only. At least, since the distribution is being monitored by the Sisters, we are sure our goods will reach those most in need within hours. We are asked to send powdered milk, local oil (called lagi), socks and blankets. There is cold rain coming according to the forecast...".
Fr Miguel explains that he asked for volunteers from amongst the boys, to help with the rescue work, and received 100 immediate responses. The Military commander has given permission for an advance group, with Fr Miguel in charge, to move ahead with 2 welding instructors, to prepare the logistics for the rescue party. The army's resposne to their request was: “100 boys trained in D.Bosco can do a lot of good over here”. In addition to food and clothing items, the army have requested that the group bring as many 'cafans' with them as possible - white shrouds for burying the dead.
VOCABULARY:
materiel: note, not 'material'. Materiel refers to the whole collection of equipment, etc.
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