Dr Shakeel Ahmad

The date October 8, 2005 is etched into the collective memory of Pakistan. A day the earth shook with brutal force, claiming tens of thousands of lives and leaving countless more bereft. For a nation that has endured repeated and devastating crises from the floods of 2010 to the scourge of terrorism, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the climate-fueled deluges of 2022 and 2025, the memory of that earthquake serves as a constant reminder of fragility. Yet in those darkest moments emerges another memory: of hands reaching out, of hope delivered, of an organization that brings order to chaos. This is the story of Alkhidmat.

But the story is more than relief. Pakistan today is engaged in a battle against a harsh climate reality. The 2022 floods alone displaced millions, destroyed over 2 million homes, and caused economic losses estimated between US$30–40 billion. In 2025, flood disasters have already displaced over 5.8 million people, claimed hundreds of lives, and wrecked infrastructure, agriculture, and shelter. The monsoon deluge of 2025 was made 10-15% more intense by global warming. Many deaths still go uncounted, with estimates suggesting as much as 95% of mortality remains unregistered. In this context, Alkhidmat’s dual role takes shape: rapid response, and persistent care.

Its response has always been swift. When bomb blasts rip through cities, Alkhidmat volunteers race in to offer aid and support. In the COVID-19 crisis, the foundation mobilized quickly, running quarantine centers, sanitizing public spaces, distributing oxygen, and delivering food. In floodwaters and mud, they rescue, distribute shelter, food, clean water, and first aid. But relief is never just a stopgap.

For Alkhidmat, “relief” is a profound act of human dignity: a blanket for a shivering mother, a meal for a hungry child, hygiene kits to restore normalcy. After the immediate crisis, the more arduous work of rehabilitation begins. That means rebuilding homes, establishing medical camps and temporary schools, even restoring livelihoods with interest-free loans and microfinance schemes. All this is built upon a vast corps of volunteers, over 69,000 volunteers, who take on exhaustion, heartbreak, danger, and despair with resolve.

But Alkhidmat’s mission is not limited to emergency times. It is woven into everyday social welfare across Pakistan.

Disaster Management - Rescue, Relief & Rehabilitation: Alkhidmat is often among the first responders in earthquakes, floods, bomb blasts, and health emergencies.
Health Services: The foundation runs hospitals, clinics, and mobile health units to deliver primary health, emergency care, and preventive services.
Education: Temporary schools in disaster zones, scholarships, and regular schooling initiatives. Orphan Care Program: Alkhidmat supports tens of thousands of orphans. Its network sponsors over 30,000 orphaned children, with monthly support.
WASH: Provision of clean drinking water, sanitation facilities, hygiene kits, especially under crisis conditions.
Microfinance): To empower vulnerable families and promote self-dependency.
Community Services: Poverty alleviation, livelihood support, capacity building in local communities.

These multiple domains allow Alkhidmat to not just respond to disasters but help communities resist, recover, and rebuild.

As climate volatility intensifies and the next catastrophe looms, Alkhidmat promises to be there whenever and wherever the need arises, a beacon of hope in the storm.

To continue this vital work, Alkhidmat needs support. In the wake of the 2025 floods, your donations can help rebuild shattered homes and support its Orphan Care Program for children who lost parents in floods. Alkhidmat also seeks contributions to its Disaster Management Program, which will secure equipment, provide training to volunteers, and prepare them for future crises.

The call to action is simple yet profound: Be first on the ground. Be an Alkhidmat volunteer.

The Alkhidmat Foundation is not just a charity; it is a movement. A testament to the power of compassion, integrity, and collective action. In a country that has witnessed so much suffering, Alkhidmat stands as a reminder that with courage and resolve, humanity can overcome even the greatest challenges.