Afridi champions Pakistan flood victims

KARACHI: Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi lent his support Friday to millions of people suffering from consecutive years of flooding, promising to continue to raise funds and awareness for their plight. The 32-year-old former captain visited the Basic Human Rights (BHR) charity’s one-room shelter projects in various villages in southern areas of the country and pledged his support for housing millions of homeless people. “I am passionate about the relief work,” Afridi was quoted as saying.

Pakistan has suffered devastating floods in the past three years, including the worst in its history in 2010 when catastrophic inundations across the country killed almost 1,800 people and affected 21 million. This year monsoon floods in Pakistan have killed 480 people and affected more than five million, mostly in the southern province of Sindh, according to the government. “I appreciate this one-room shelter project, which is helping the most vulnerable families in rebuilding their homes. Last year I helped BHR raise funds for this project, it was good to see the outcome of that effort,” said Afridi. Earlier this month the United Nations called on donors to find $79 million to save millions of Pakistanis affected by monsoon floods and unrest in the northwest. Afridi said he would continue to raise funds for flood victims. “Wherever I play cricket, I try my level best to convince people to come forward and help,” said Afridi, who also helped the 2005 earthquake victims in Pakistan.