FOCUS recognised for its disaster response and relief efforts in the wake of hurricanes

Ali Velshi and SACC President Mustafa Tameez present the 2009 Outstanding Community Organization Award to FOCUS Board Member Nasir Panjwani. Photo: Shiraz Maherali

At a Gala Dinner on 9 October, the South Asian Chamber of Commerce (SACC) of Houston, Texas honoured Focus Humanitarian Assistance (FOCUS) with the 2009 Outstanding Community Organization Award for their disaster response and relief efforts in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina, Gustav, Rita and Ike that affected the Southern United States.

Founded in 1993, the SACC is a non-profit organisation representing South Asian Americans, whose mission is to provide leadership that helps create regional economic prosperity and success for its members.

From left: Ali Velshi (CNN), Shaukat Zakaria (SACC Co-Chair), Mustafa Tameez (SACC President), Dr Amirali Popatia (FOCUS), Nasir Panjwani (FOCUS), Munira Panjwani-Zahid (SACC Co-chair), Nomaan Husain (SACC President-elect). Photo: Shiraz Maherali

Focus Humanitarian Assistance is an international disaster planning, risk management and crisis response agency. Its planning function includes training, stockpiling and expertise in times of crises. During a crisis, whether natural or man-made, it provides emergency relief to all communities in its areas of operation.

"The reason Focus Humanitarian Assistance was chosen for the Outstanding Community Organization Award was because it's doing impressive humanitarian work for the community at large, not only in the US, but globally, " said SACC President Mustafa Tameez.

FOCUS volunteers offer support to the community in Beaumont, Texas in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. Photo: Courtesy of FOCUS

Chief Guest and CNN business anchor Ali Velshi presented the award to Dr Amirali Popatia, Vice-Chairman of FOCUS USA, and Nasir Panjwani, FOCUS USA Board member, at the Gala banquet. Velshi, author of Gimme My Money Back: Your Guide to Beating the Financial Crisis, was chosen as the keynote speaker in appreciation of his work as an outstanding media personality in the business world.

In his opening remarks, President Tameez remarked on the dedication of FOCUS volunteers and staff, who in anticipation of Hurricane Ike established a Crisis Response Team and 24-hour hotline to offer information and timely assistance to those affected. Rozmin Velani, one of the volunteers, recounts that "in one of the calls to the hotline, there was a frantic call from a family."

FOCUS volunteers and staff in San Antonio work to sort and distribute clothes to help those affected rebuild their lives. Photo: Courtesy of FOCUS

"This family had an older parent visiting from another state," she continues, "and in the midst of the storm, the parent started experiencing chest pains. With most communication methods overwhelmed and 9-1-1 emergency response unreachable due to the overload of calls, the Hurricane Ike Hotline was crucial." Volunteers on the other end of the phone were able to guide the family through the crisis and get appropriate assistance, which helped save a life.

Throughout the hurricanes that devastated parts of the Southern United States, volunteers assisted in providing food and supplies to over 150 000 displaced people who sought shelter in Houston, while over 250 FOCUS volunteers participated in training by the Red Cross to assist displaced individuals in various shelters. Volunteers also worked with local governments and agencies to ensure that mandatory evacuation orders were adhered to, and that residents were safe and comfortable.

Many families lost their homes and livelihoods following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. FOCUS volunteers and staff in San Antonio, brought smiles to the faces of young children and families by distributing clothes, toys and basic amenities as part of an effort to assist them in rebuilding their lives. Photo: Courtesy of FOCUS

FOCUS collaborated closely with the Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston and the City of Houston in delivering meals, water and ice immediately after the hurricane had passed. In coordination with other volunteer groups, FOCUS volunteers helped to remove debris from ruined homes and ensured that resettlement assistance was available to families in need. Although the hurricanes caused massive devastation, it also left lasting footprints, as people from different walks of life came together with a common goal of assisting others.

The work of FOCUS' dedicated staff and volunteers in the United States and throughout the world has ensured that communities who have been affected by disaster are not only able to cope in the immediate aftermath, but are also better prepared should any future disaster befall them. It is also forging strong relationships with a number of international and local partner agencies and institutions in order to better serve the communities in which they operate. FOCUS continually seeks to be a model, world-class community-based emergency humanitarian assistance organisation, with an emphasis on developing disaster resilient communities.

As an affiliate of the Aga Khan Development (AKDN), FOCUS works alongside the global agencies of the AKDN in regions where longer term development is viable and sustainable after a social crisis. FOCUS and AKDN agencies also collaborate to provide health and livelihood recovery and rehabilitation initiatives for vulnerable groups during protracted crises.