KARACHI, Aug 3: Those residents of Lyari river who, until two years back, used to take shelter in relief camps, leaving their abodes during monsoon rains to save their lives from spate in the river, are passing peaceful days this year despite battering rains.

They are not only living comfortably in their new settlements at Hawkesbay and Taisar Town, but also taking part in ‘Jashn-i-Azadi’ programmes, being organised in the first half of the current month, with a renewed zeal and fervour.

Some 800 persons living along the Malir riverbed had lost their lives in an unprecedented spate because of flash flood in 1977, and again in 1978, 60 persons died when Lyari river also swelled and washed them away.

This year, at the new settlements of the families shifted from Lyari riverbed under the Lyari Expressway project, a ‘Healthy, Educated, Green Pakistan’ campaign has been launched on August 1 which will continue till August 14.

In the first phase, an immunization campaign for children under five years of age is in progress. It has being organised in coordination with the Sindh health department to protect children from various diseases.

On the first and second day of the campaign, over 2,000 children have been inoculated against typhoid, tetanus, whooping cough, measles, hepatitis, etc.

At the start of campaign, mobile teams consisting six members each were formed under the supervision of senior doctors who paid a door-to-door visit and inoculated small children.

For the convenience of the resettled families, immunization centres had also been set up at all schools, site office and dispensaries in the settlements where parents brought their children for immunization.

Lectures were also arranged at schools to create awareness regarding health and cleanliness.

During the second phase of the programme starting from August 7, a tree plantation campaign will be started to make these new settlements green and environment-friendly.

Trees will be planted along major thoroughfares and schoolchildren, along with their parent, would plant trees outside their houses. Similarly, residents of the settlements will be pursued to plant trees in the streets close to their houses.

In the third phase, a campaign for school admissions will be launched for new students. For the purpose, groups of teachers and students, with admission forms, would be formed to visit houses to house and convince parents to get their children, especially girls, enrolled.

A special cleanliness campaign will also be launched and all residents of the settlements, including schoolchildren will be involved.

The last phase of the programme will be the holding of events like speech contests, national songs competitions, tableau, skits, etc.—APP