A massive rather "unimaginable" earthquake struck Haiti on January 12th 2010. The Quake was the worst in the region in more than 200 years, and as many as 50,000 people are feared dead. The quake left the country in shables, without electricity or phone service, tangling efforts to provide relief.

Most medical facilities had been severely damaged, if not leveled. Supplies of food and fresh water were dwindling.

FIMA has a track record of responding quickly to help the destitute in case of such natural disasters and calamities. (The historic contribution of PIMA, IMANA, and other IMAs was witnessed during the 2005 earthquake in Kashmir / north West Frontier Province of Pakistan. But unfortunately owing to logistic constraints we are still uncertain as to what mechanism be evolved to extend our support to Haitians at this critical juncture.

We have already approached UN and WHo and offered the services of 200 trained doctors and Paramedics to be moved to the ground zero at a notice of 24-48 hours. We are awaiting the response. According to available information, the greatest needs include shelter, non-presihable food supplements, water-purification tablets, drinking water, health kits, kitchen kits, and various other emergency supplies. Medical relief has poured into Haiti with many field hospitals in haiti or on route to the country. Their greatest difficulties include internal transport and communication.

From what I gather, surgeons/orthopedic surgeons are always required but obstetricians/gynecologists and pediatricians are urgently needed in Haiti.

Various agencies have advised using Dominican Republic as an entry point. Dr. Irgan Galaria (IMANA) and our partners from DWW UK, DR. Kanwal Chaudhry and Dr. Najeeb Rehman have also reached Haiti.

Dr. Ismail mehad from IMANA relief is currently coordinating the overall relief activity on behalf of IMANA and FIMA. A group of doctors from Pakistan headed by FIMA secretary Dr. Tanveer Zubairi is ready for departure to join the IMANA relief team II. IMANA is continuously in touch with other governmental bodies, NGOs including Islamic Relief USA and congress men for coordination and mutual cooperation so as to make best use of our available manpower.

Dr Parvaiz Malik, President FIMA