News

AerOceaNetwork

"Professional Logistics at Work, Worldwide!"


	Home
	About Us
	News
	AON Regulations
	Members' Directory
	Upcoming Meetings
	Members' Area
	Contact Us
	Application Form

News

Pakistani Logistics Company Helps Earthquake Victims

KARACHI-BASED logistics company, SeaNet Shipping & Logistics, sprang into action to provide relief aid in the wake of the October 8 earthquake that devastated northern Pakistan, claiming more than 73,000 lives and leaving about three million homeless.

"For the first month, the magnitude of the disaster was so big we spent days without sleep," said CEO Humayun Qamar, who worked on relief efforts initially with the Pakistan Airforce (PAF) and then for local NGO, Eidhi. "My first major task was purchasing tents, blankets, feeder bottles, medicines," he explained, adding that each 40-foot container had to include a full packing list that marked down all the items contained inside the box.

As most of the relief goods came from overseas, the cargo had to be cleared through customs before they could be transported to the quake affected regions. "We had done many customs clearances for free," said Mr Humayun.

Aeroceanetwork member, SeaNet Shipping & Logistics was also involved in trucking the goods from ports and airports in Karachi some 1,500 kilometres to the disaster sites.

The actual trucking in the end was said to have become tricky according to Mohammad Aamir, Sea Net Shipping & Logistics's business development manager. He claimed that many truckers became greedy and took up profiteering, charging up to 300 per cent more than the normal rate for haulage services.

"It was very difficult to arrange trucks. They charged too much," said Mr Aamir. "But we had a way out. We worked with the police as it was declared a crime to charge more [than the going rate]." Even then the trucks were still scarce.

"Even when we required trucks the government helped us confiscate from profiteers," said Mr Aamir. "They simply used their trucks by force."

The international community has so far reported to have pledged around US$6.2 billion in aid, with most of that earmarked for long-term rehabilitation and reconstruction. The United Nations is seeking $550 million for a six-month relief operation. So far donors have only given a fraction of that amount.

"Things are in routine now," said Mr Aamir in an Aeroceanetwork statement, "But if you want to help please do so as it's a huge tragedy."

To Return to the News Page

To Return to the Home Page

To contact us:

15th Floor, Suite 1504
Bangkok Business Center Building (BBCB)
29 Sukhumvit 63 Road, Klongton Nua
Wattana, Bangkok 10110 Thailand
Tel.: +66 2 714 2256
Fax: +66 2 714 2257
E-Mail: info@AerOceaNetwork.com