Tag Archives: Pakistan Flood

Scientology Volunteer Ministers Year in Review: Disaster Response Teams Reach Out With Help

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- For more than 40 years, Scientology Volunteer Ministers have responded to natural and manmade disasters. And this year was no exception. The year had no sooner started than a massive mudslide devastated Quito, Ecuador. The worst downpour in nearly two decades unleashed a torrent of water, mud, rock and debris that toppled houses, swept away motorcycles and cars, and left thousands stranded. Scientology Volunteer Ministers helped with the cleanup and provided supplies to those in need.

Volunteer Ministers responded to the refugee crisis in Eastern Europe, with more than 17 million fleeing Ukraine, most of them taking refuge in nearby countries. Working in coordination with aid organizations, volunteers from across Europe including Italy, Hungary, Moldova, Slovakia and Germany raised donations and collected and transported urgently needed supplies, provided transportation to temporary quarters, worked at distribution points and manned shelters.

More than 3,000 miles away in Pakistan, Volunteer Ministers mobilized to respond to catastrophic floods that left a third of the country submerged. Thousands were stranded without access to first aid or needed medical care. To help remedy this, the Scientology Volunteer Ministers organized teams of doctors and nurses who traveled to remote regions and provided care. They also brought food, water and other emergency supplies.

More than 700 Volunteer Ministers responded to the devastation of the 150-mph winds and 13-foot storm surge of Hurricane Ian. Teams cut down damaged trees, providing access to communities cut off by the storm's destruction, helped locate valuables, shored up and protected homes and worked on the arduous muck out and cleanup of homes that could be salvaged. Others manned temporary shelters, and organized and distributed water, food, hygiene and baby supplies, and other urgently needed items.

Wherever they go, Volunteer Ministers care for the emotional and spiritual needs of the victims. They help them prevail over loss and grief, regroup, and confront the future. They use Scientology assists, techniques developed by humanitarian and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard that address the emotional and spiritual factors in stress and trauma. And they share the Scientology Tools for Life, a series of online films and courses that train people in skills they can use to help others overcome the difficulties they are faced with in the aftermath of disaster.

The Church of Scientology Volunteer Ministers program is a religious social service created in the mid-1970s by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard. It constitutes one of the world's largest independent relief forces. Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige, calling on Scientologists to use what they know to redouble their efforts to aid their fellow man, has inspired tremendous growth in the Volunteer Ministers movement.

A Volunteer Minister's mandate is to be "a person who helps his fellow man on a volunteer basis by restoring purpose, truth and spiritual values to the lives of others." Their creed: "A Volunteer Minister does not shut his eyes to the pain, evil and injustice of existence. Rather, he is trained to handle these things and help others achieve relief from them and new personal strength as well."

Their motto is no matter the circumstances, "Something can be done about it."

For more information on the technology used by the Volunteer Minister, watch Scientology Tools for Life on the Scientology Network at DIRECTV 320 or at www.Scientology.tv.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

https://www.scientology.org/our-help-is-yours/

MULTIMEDIA:

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/nGRWeCFOtI8

For more than 40 years, Scientology Volunteer Ministers have responded to natural and manmade disasters. And this year was no exception. The year had no sooner started than a massive mudslide devastated Quito, Ecuador.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

Scientology Assist Team Brings Help to Their Country in Its Time of Need

KARACHI, Pakistan /ScoopCloud/ -- In a country as prone to cataclysm and disaster as Pakistan, some might say there is not much you can count on except bad news. But Perwaiz Hasan and the Scientology Assist Team are the exception to that rule.

The team has been providing relief in the wake of disasters for more than a decade and responded immediately to this year's floods that left a third of the country under water.

They have visited towns rarely mentioned in Western news: In Bhittai and Qasimabad, they brought food and clothing to some 500 people stranded by the flood. They brought relief to the towns of Zhob, Dadu, and Dera Ismail Khan. They have traveled across the provinces of Punjab and Sindh.

"We really felt honored to visit the most neglected province, Baluchistan," said Perwaiz Hasan, who leads Pakistan's Scientology Assist Team. The team was warned that the area was unsafe. "But it wasn't true," said Hasan. "The people in that area were very friendly and welcoming, and they were really happy we came."

With flooding comes a host of medical complications.

"Standing water is an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes, which are currently spreading malaria and dengue fever in Pakistan," said Richard Brennan, regional emergency director for the eastern Mediterranean region at the World Health Organization. "Respiratory illnesses are rampant. And toxic floodwaters have caused skin infections and scabies."

The Scientology Assist Team includes a corps of medical doctors and nurses who provide medical camps to care for those in need.

After addressing immediate physical needs, the Pakistan Volunteer Assist Team provides Scientology assists-techniques developed by humanitarian and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard that address the emotional and spiritual factors in stress and trauma. And they share the Scientology Tools for Life, a series of online films and courses that provide skills to help people overcome difficulties and better their circumstances.

For more than a decade, Perwaiz Hasan and his team have been responding to disasters in Pakistan including monsoon-driven floods and the 7.5 earthquake of 2015. His team members have also deployed to disasters abroad, including the Nepal earthquake of 2015 and a tsunami and volcano in Jakarta in 2018.

In 2012, the International Association of Scientologists awarded Hasan the Freedom Medal, presented to Scientologists for stellar accomplishments in forwarding the dignity and freedom of all humankind, thus furthering the Church's humanitarian objectives.

The Church of Scientology Volunteer Ministers program is a religious social service created in the mid-1970s by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard. It constitutes one of the world's largest independent relief forces. Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige, calling on Scientologists to use what they know to redouble their efforts to aid their fellow man, has inspired tremendous growth in the Volunteer Ministers movement.

A Volunteer Minister's mandate is to be "a person who helps his fellow man on a volunteer basis by restoring purpose, truth and spiritual values to the lives of others." Their creed: "A Volunteer Minister does not shut his eyes to the pain, evil and injustice of existence. Rather, he is trained to handle these things and help others achieve relief from them and new personal strength as well."

Their motto is no matter the circumstances, "Something can be done about it."

For more information on the technology used by the Volunteer Minister, watch Scientology Tools for Life on the Scientology Network at DIRECTV 320 or at www.Scientology.tv.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

https://www.scientology.tv/films/scientology-principles/tools-for-life.html

MULTIMEDIA:

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/AhsOspn7BP4

In a country as prone to cataclysm and disaster as Pakistan, some might say there is not much you can count on except bad news. But Perwaiz Hasan and the Scientology Assist Team are the exception to that rule.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/

Scientology Assist Team Helps Pakistan Flood Victims in Need of Care

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- In response to unprecedented flooding in Pakistan, described by the UN as a climate catastrophe, Scientology volunteers continue providing urgently needed supplies and health care in their outreach to affected communities.

With a third of the country under water and authorities predicting it could take six months for floodwaters to recede in areas hardest hit, Scientology Volunteer Assist Teams continue providing help.

Waterborne and other diseases pose a serious threat to these communities, so the doctors hold a medical camp in each village they visit and administer care.

"We arranged a medical camp in a village in Hyderabad," said Perwaiz Hasan, who leads the Scientology Assist Teams. "No help has reached this area so far. Flood victims said we are the first ones."

They had to come through swampland to survey the damaged homes.

"Their suffering is real. The damage is real. They are in great need of help," said Hasan.

They delivered food and water, and doctors on the team set up a clinic to provide first aid and medicine.

A few days later the team arrived in another village. They came at the invitation of two local teachers who thanked them not only for the medical care, food and supplies they brought but also for giving the children balls and bats, which were a huge hit with the kids.

At another nearby village, what was most appreciated was the mosquito repellent and nets they brought.

Food, water and other urgently needed supplies have not arrived in these remote villages. The Scientology Volunteer Assist Team has been raising donations and bringing supplies to the villages they visit.

In addition to performing medical examinations and distributing needed medicine, the volunteers train villagers to help each other using simple Scientology assists-techniques developed by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard that speed recovery by addressing the emotional and spiritual factors in stress and trauma. One young girl who had a stomachache didn't know what to think of the technique. But the volunteer continued to administer it and after a short while, the girl looked very surprised. The stomach pain was gone.

This was the first medical camp one of the doctors participated in. "She was very thankful to us," said Hasan. She plans to join them as they continue their outreach.

Modern technology has been of major assistance to the volunteer team. Using their Facebook and WhatsApp they have been able to collect donated items including clothes, food and water to distribute to the communities they visit.

Their van driver was so taken with the volunteers that he took one of their bright yellow T-shirts for the next time "because I want to continue working with you as a volunteer," he said.

Members of the Scientology Volunteer Assist Team of Pakistan have studied the Scientology Tools for Life, a series of 19 courses, many of which include vital skills for responding to disasters. This is the basic training for the Scientology Volunteer Minister. It increases their communication skills and enables them to bring order to the chaos of disaster sites.

For more than a decade, Perwaiz Hasan and his team have been responding to disasters in Pakistan and other countries in South Asia and beyond. His humanitarian work earned him the Freedom Medal of the International Association of Scientologists in 2012.

Scientology: Tools for Life is a filmed introduction to the basic principles and technology that comprise the training these volunteers use. These films are available on the Scientology Network. Tools for Life courses are available free of charge on the Scientology website. They include practical skills anyone may learn and use to overcome problems, live a happier life, and better the lives of those around them.

Available on DIRECTV Channel 320, the Scientology Network can also be streamed at Scientology.tv, on mobile apps and via the Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV platforms. Since launching with a special episode featuring Scientology ecclesiastical leader Mr. David Miscavige, Scientology Network has been viewed in 240 countries and territories worldwide in 17 languages.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.scientologynews.org/press-releases/

https://www.scientology.tv/films/scientology-principles/tools-for-life.html

MULTIMEDIA:

VIDEO: https://youtu.be/nGRWeCFOtI8

In response to unprecedented flooding in Pakistan, described by the UN as a climate catastrophe, Scientology volunteers continue providing urgently needed supplies and health care in their outreach to affected communities.

Related link: https://www.scientology.org/