11th November 2005

Dear Staff of Manchester Credit Card Centre

Royal Bank of Scotland

RE: South Asia Earthquake Donation

On behalf of everyone at Kashmir International Relief Fund (KIRF), I wanted to personally thank you for all your efforts to raise funds for the victims of the South Asia earthquake.

One question we are repeatedly asked by our donors is how and where their funds are used.

I am delighted to tell you that your donation was used to to build emergency shelters in remote villages surrounding the city of Bagh, Azad Kashmir. More information about these shelters is available on the homepage. Some photos of the shelters built with your funds are available on the right or click here to view more photos.

Your incredible support came at a very critical and hugely important time for the victims that will benefit from these shelters. Winter, with heavy snows and bitterly cold temperatures (up to -20c) is just around the corner - this picture on the left is from last winter. The shelters built with your funds will provide protection during the bitterly bitterly cold months for people who have lost everything dear to them. And these are people that were already amongst the most impoverished in the world.

This earthquake is an unprecedented race against time to save millions of people quite unlike any other natural disaster. Recently, UN emergency co-ordinator Jan Vandemoortele told a news conference: "Frankly, I don't know how to say this any more clearly in plain English. It's now or never. We will not have a second chance." KIRF is working round the clock to help give a second chance to as many victims as possible.

We just do not have the words to express our appreciation and gratitude for your selfless giving. In an era where donations disappear into a big 'giving' bucket, I can assure you that your support will directly save the lives of many earthquake victims.

We are planning a to send a large contingent of volunteers to Kashmir next year to help with rebuilding permanent housing for the victims. If you are interested, please contact us for more information.

Thank you so much for caring and sharing.

Ishfaq Ahmed

Chief Executive

t. 08700 421 700 (+44 20 8519 0090 International)
e. info@kirf.org
w. www.kirf.org


Kashmir International Relief Fund
Registered UK Charity No. 1062749
Please support the KIRF | Earthquake Appeal
Donate Online: www.kirf.org
Donation Hotline: 08700 421 700 (+44 8519 0090)

PS: For more information, please view help.pps (2.5 MB) - a Microsoft Powerpoint presentation that explains the dire situation the victims are facing. (Warning: some may find the images too graphic).