A huge rather "inconceivable" flood struck during Pakistan during the last summer. The devastation was worst in the region in more than 100 years, and as many as 5,0000 people died during its initial phase. The flood left the country in disaster, without any communication means, electricity or supply of food and medicine, tangling efforts to prodive 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 and calamities. There has been a historic contribution of PIMA, IMANA, IMASA, DWW (Turkey), Jordan Medical Society of Islamic Studies, MERCY Malaysia, MER-C Malaysia, MERCY Singapore, MERC Indonesia, IMANI relief Indonesia, Arab Medical Union, IMA Egypt and other IMAs during these last six months to alleviate the miseries of hundreds of thousands of flood stricken Pakistanis. I personally feel so proud of our brothers who volunteered to send Medical staff, funds and essential medical supplies. A mobile Mother and Child Clinic has been started with the initiative of FIMA to be moving in far flung flood affected areas to provide OB/GYN services at their door step.

The greatest difficulties during these months of our field experience included outbreak of communicable diseases, damaged roads and communication. From what I gather, medical services are needed for another year to a population of around 40-50 millions. I urge all the IMAs to please stay in touch with local IMA (PIMA) to combat this disaster.

FIMA semi annual EXCO meeting is scheduled to be held in last week of March in Medina el Munawawarah (Saudi Arabia). I request all the IMAs to please send us suggestions regarding planning issues especially the forthcoming 27th FIMA council meeting scheduled to be held in Jakarta, Indonesia in September 2011.

Dr Parvaiz Malik,
President FIMA