Caritas Pakistan helping Muslims during Ramadan

Caritas Pakistan in Karachi has distributed food aid to Muslim villagers in a rural mountainous area to help them cope with the effects of prolonged drought and ease their problems during the holy month of Ramadan.  Caritas helped 90 families from seven villages bordering Karachi June 11 with each family receiving a bag containing food items for their daily needs. 

"People in this area are extremely poor. No rains in the territory for the past four years have affected them a lot, their lands are barren, and they cannot cultivate any crops," said Mansha Noor, executive secretary of Caritas Pakistan Karachi.  Villagers had contacted Caritas during the first week of Ramadan and "we immediately started working to raise funds to support them," he said.  Each bag costs about Rs. 2,000 (US$20).  "This is the first time we are helping Muslims with rations during their holy Month. Earlier we only provided aid during floods and other natural calamities," Noor said.  (Source: UCAN)