Ambassadors Thanks

Pakistani Ambassador Thanks Irish Lions Clubs On the eve of the District Convention at Clontarf Castle the Ambassador of Pakistan to Ireland,Her Excellency Mrs Naghmana A Hashmi has sent a message of sincere thanks and goodwill to the Lions clubs of District 105I. Over 1500 people died in last Summer’s catastrophic floods in Pakistan. The Red Cross says up to two and a half million people were severely affected with no food or clean drinking water but more would have died and suffered were it not for the Trojan efforts of Irish volunteers, fundraisers and the general public here – according to the Pakistan Ambassador to Ireland who was speaking after a meeting with the Lions clubs of Ireland District Governor Terence Mangan and VDG Sean Sandford in Dublin. In the immediate aftermath of the floods in August Lions clubs in Bantry Bay, Waterford and all over Ireland rallied to raise funds and came to the rescue of flood victims in Pakistan when they transported several consignments of water purification tablets – paid for after an appeal by Lions clubs around Ireland – and flown out to those areas worst affected by the floods. Aid agencies told the Lions club movement that clean water was one of the major immediate requirements in order to avoid major health problems and to sustain life in flood-stricken Pakistan in the aftermath of the floods and aquatabs, manufactured in Wexford, were transported to Pakistan thanks to the generosity of the Irish public and a special appeal by Lions clubs all over the country. Aquatabs are the world’s no.1 water purification tablets. They are effervescent tablets which kill micro- organisms in water to prevent cholera, typhoid, dysentery and other water borne diseases. Medentech has been based in Wexford since 1987 and manufacture all tablets here site. “The IMMEDIATE needs in Pakistan were food and water, medicines and shelter” says Terence Mangan District Governor “and having looked at a number of options and making an initial donation to the people of Pakistan, the Lions clubs moved on to a practical way to assist the Lions in Pakistan and the 20 million people affected by the floods by sourcing water purification tablets at a very reasonable price. I am pleased to now confirm that we have now made five shipments of water purification tablets and first aid equipment to Pakistan alongside a badly needed cash injection.”A box of 32,000 aqua tabs costs 208 Euro approximately and provides approx 70,000 gallons of drinkable water. An air freight pallet of 15 boxes can purify over 1 million gallons and will cost approx 3200 euro. “ Imagine – a pallet of these products from Wexford on a jumbo jet leaving Dublin airport and providing 1 million gallons of water for the people of Pakistan, enough to fill about 240 x 20 tonne tankers and all thanks to the generosity of the Irish people and the help of the Lions clubs.” The Ambassador came to Clontarf Castle to meet with DG Terence and VDG Sean on the eve of our annual convention and pass on on her sincere thanks for the five shipments of the aquatabs and first aid provisions that Lions clubs were responsible for. Over the weekend the Ambassador will also speak to delegates directly at Convention. Thursday's media event to highlight the good work of Lions in the Pakistan Flood Appeal was organised by Danny Bohan, Media/PR Co-ordinator East and will feature in a number of publications on Friday March 5th and over the coming week.
	The first batch of water purifying tablets distributed by Lions members in Pakistan
Each box of 32,000 tablets costs approximately €208 and will provide 70,000 gallons of drinkable water. This means that Bantry has contributed enough money to purify over 1.36 million gallons of water, a fantastic achievement.
	The shipment was purchased in Wexford and freighted to Manchester courtesy of an Irish Lions Club member. Pakistan International Airways airfreighted the tablets from Manchester for free with only a nominal airport handling charge involved. The shipment was met by members of Lions Clubs in Pakistan for distribution.
Once again, the Bantry Bay Lions would like to give a huge thank you to the people who responded to this appeal.

On Friday August 27, the Bantry Bay Lions, in cooperation with members of the ICA and Defibrillator groups, conducted a collection in Bantry for the Pakistan Flood Appeal. A total of €4,045.00 was collected, an astonishing amount considering the current economic climate.

Once again, the people of Bantry and the surrounding area have shown their generosity in responding to a tragedy.

This money has been sent to Lions Clubs International and, together with donations from the other 117 Lions Clubs in Ireland, will be used to purchase water purification tablets which have been secured at a very reasonable price.

Each box of 32,000 tablets costs approximately €208 and will provide 70,000 gallons of drinkable water. This means that Bantry has contributed enough money to purify over 1.36 million gallons of water, a fantastic achievement.