Triller Introduces the Metaverz: Your All-Access Pass to Global Entertainment

Triller partners with Epik and the entertainment industry’s biggest artists to create the world’s first integrated virtual music, gaming, sports and live events platform

Metaverz

Metaverz

Metaverz

Metaverz

Metaverz

Metaverz

Metaverz

Metaverz

Metaverz

 

Link to a video preview of the Metaverz here.

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 17, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Triller, the leading AI-powered creator platform, is taking its creator-first approach to the metaverse. Today, Triller announces their latest venture: the Metaverz, a first-of-its-kind virtual integrated digital, technology, media, and entertainment platform. Inside the Metaverz, fans can attend a virtual concert featuring their favorite artists or make their way past the velvet rope of a virtual nightclub and venture into a VIP room to interact with celebrities, influencers and creators.

“We are extremely excited to debut the Metaverz and open up direct access to creators from all corners of the world,” said Mahi de Silva, CEO of Triller. “We are committed to expanding offerings for our users, creators, and businesses, and entering the metaverse strategically positions Triller at the forefront of several compelling trends including Web3 and decentralization. We are now on the frontline of the future of creator content – from NFT-backed collectibles and memorabilia to virtual concerts to gaming and shopping, the Metaverz ecosystem will be groundbreaking.”

The Metaverz has north of $100 million in metaverse investment value today across various digital properties and assets, and is expected to grow rapidly. Triller’s Metaverz will operate at the intersection of music, sports, gaming, and live events. Users can engage with Triller’s record-breaking live sporting and music events that attract millions of viewers around the globe– including Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, Triller Fight Club, Verzuz and many others – but also are able to engage with artists and other fans in a unique setting that brings the world to them.

“When your favorite sporting event is a continent away, you can still be there with front row seats, sharing unforgettable moments with other fans,” said Christopher Taurosa, Head of Metaverz. “If you want pursue a new digital shopping experience, you can shop at one of the stores in our virtual shopping malls, or, if gaming is something you enjoy, you can play along with your friends and interact with the community in so many new engaging ways only available in the Metaverz.”

The Metaverz is the latest example of how Triller is a powerful toolbox for the creators, by the creators. Triller allows them to monetize their connections like never before, with engagements as high as 73% versus 1% on other platforms, such as Instagram.

“Triller’s Metaverz underscores its commitment to empower creators everywhere to maximize their relationships with their fans, while developing powerful tools to connect brands and creators,” said de Silva. “Triller is breaking the mold of the closed garden networks, and the Metaverz will continue to pave the way for Triller as the leading creator platform, facilitating commerce and maximizing audience reach.”

Triller’s open garden network eliminates the large tech companies as intermediaries and puts the power back in the hands of the creators and their users, allowing them to connect directly with the brands that want to work with them.

“Our core focus is to eliminate the barrier of entry to the metaverse. Our platform allows everyone to seamlessly connect and interact with their favorite creators, attend events they normally wouldn’t be able to, and interact directly with people from around the world,” said Taurosa. “The Metaverz allows the limits of time and distance to be instantaneously erased and gives both sides of the creator economy the necessary space to create and delight with content and experiences – you can be whoever you want to be and go wherever you want to go.”

Another unique feature of the Metaverz experience is Triller’s partnership with Epik, a leading global platform for AR/VR and gaming experiences that produces premium digital experiences for more than one billion gamers worldwide. Triller and Epik will launch multiple games within the Metaverz and announce future partnerships with some of the world’s leading gaming companies. Thanks to this creative collaboration, there will be Metaverz drops where gamers can purchase upgrades with artifacts and gear and additional packs like trading cards consisting of artifacts or avatars for their gaming characters.

To celebrate the launch of the Metaverz, Triller will host an event featuring DJ and electronic artist Sam Feldt performing live from the Netherlands during one of electronic music’s largest gatherings in the world, the Amsterdam Dance Event, on October 22. The event is free to everyone who enters through the Metaverz.

“I am very excited to partner with Triller on the launch of the Metaverz,” said Victor David, Co-Founder and CEO of Epik. “This is a perfect marriage combining Triller’s social network, creator platform, celebrities, events and content with our technical expertise, video game network and membership programs. By working together, we are one step closer to mass adoption and the result will be a rapid expansion into all things metaverse.”

Triller, which works with hundreds of the world’s largest brands and enables over 750 million social interactions a month, is seizing the opportunity to continue to monetize these transactions.

“We put a lot of thought, time, and capital towards building what we believe to be the most advanced live event metaverse platform available today,” said de Silva. “We have been working closely with all of our partners, influencers, celebrities and companies to make sure this launch isn’t just words but truly the launch of a new world.”

During 2022 alone, Triller has expanded its presence in the world of combat sports with acquisitions of Bare Knuckle Fight Club and Pillow Fight Championship. In the content creator space, Triller also acquired Fangage, a platform to maximize creator monetization, furthering Triller’s commitment to putting content creators first.

For more information and to be one of the first to learn about Metaverz updates, visit www.metaverz.com or follow @triller on social media @triller for Metaverz.com teasers, drop dates, celebrity endorsements, concerts, sports events, shopping moments, and enhanced gaming experiences. 

About Triller 

Triller is the AI-powered open garden technology platform for creators. Pairing music culture with sports, fashion, entertainment, and influencers through a 360-degree view of content and technology, Triller encourages its influencers to post the content created on the app across different social media platforms and uses proprietary AI technology to push and track their content virally to affiliated and non-affiliated sites and networks, enabling them to reach millions of additional users. Triller additionally owns VERZUZ, the live-stream music platform; combat sports brands Triller Fight Club, Triad Combat and BKFC; Amplify.ai, a leading customer engagement platform; FITE.tv, a premier global PPV, AVOD, and SVOD streaming service; Thuzio, a leader in B2B premium influencer events and experiences; Fangage, a platform for creators to engage fans and monetize content and Julius, a platform for brands and agencies to harness creators for social engagement and social commerce.

About Epik
With more than 300 video game clients, Epik is the leading global licensing agency putting brands into video games to produce premium digital items and experiences for over one billion gamers worldwide with the largest digital ecosystem with hundreds of the world’s most popular entertainment brands. Epik is widely considered to be the blockchain industry leader producing collaborations for premium licensed digital collectables, NFTs and exclusive experiences powered by an interoperable proprietary cross-chain technology. Epik was the first and only NFT company to do any deals with AAA gaming companies for NFTs. Clients include ViacomCBS, Warner Music, Garena, Tencent and Universal.

For more information visit trillerinc.com

A video accompanying this announcement is available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8c298d40-460c-4106-93da-47163adc8d8c

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4647350d-4a3c-4d07-ae77-e23af1f3f661

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d68244a5-0d43-4a89-9b33-18d37e91c27f

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https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3317e63d-2082-4299-98c5-6486ba44990d

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Contact:
Triller PR/Edendale Strategies
Curtis Vogel
Press@triller.co

‫قدمت Changhong العديد من الأجهزة المنزلية الجديدة في معرض كانتون 132

  • سيعقد الحدث الرئيسي المتعلق بالتجارة العالمية عبر الإنترنت

غوانزو، الصين، 17 أكتوبر/تشرين الأول 2022 / PRNewswire / — في معرض الاستيراد والتصدير الصيني 132 (معرض كانتون) الذي يقام عبر الإنترنت وسيبدأ في 15 أكتوبر/تشرين الأول 2022، ستعرض Changhong ، إحدى أكبر الشركات المصنعة للإلكترونيات الاستهلاكية والأجهزة المنزلية في الصين، مجموعة كاملة من المنتجات، بما في ذلك الأجهزة المنزلية الصديقة للبيئة من الجيل الخامس وتلفزيونات Mini LED ومكيفات الهواء من طراز Eva وثلاجات وغسالات Space Pro . ستقدم الشركة بفضل براعتها التكنولوجية على إنترنت الأشياء ( IoT ) والذكاء الاصطناعي ( AI ) والبيانات الضخمة وشرائح الجيل الخامس 5G ، تجربة متفوقة للمستخدمين من خلال تزويدهم بمجموعة كاملة من الأجهزة المنزلية الذكية المبتكرة والمحدثة.

ستستفيد Changhong من منصتها عبر الإنترنت في معرض كانتون 132 بالكامل لإطلاق منتجات جديدة، فضلاً عن نشر صالة عرض الواقع الافتراضي VR وجناح افتراضي ومنشأة بث مباشر عبر الإنترنت. سيعرض كشك صانع الأجهزة المنزلية عبر الإنترنت المنتجات على مدار الساعة طوال أيام الأسبوع مع توفير عدد من الخدمات، بما في ذلك مطابقة العرض والطلب، والمفاوضات التجارية عبر الإنترنت، مما يوفر تجربة أفضل للمشترين. (قم بزيارة صالة عرض Changhong في:  https://www.cantonfair.org.cn/en-US/shops/451692550933632?keyword=&fbclid=IwAR1SwCZbN8tcDUIfA9D1RnzF_TnyrKVQQW_QtDlkd3EUGV-vHbc-mj3HW3c#/ )

تقدم Changhong العديد من المنتجات الجديدة عبر الإنترنت

أحد الميزات البارزة هو تلفزيون Changhong الذكي الجديد Mini LED الذي يأتي مزودًا بلوحة خلفية بلورية صغيرة رفيعة للغاية وأحدث تقنية عرض نقطي لتقديم جودة صورة HDR فائقة، ومجموعة ألوان واسعة تتجاوز 95٪ ودقة ألوان من الدرجة الأولى، مما يخلق تجربة مشاهدة نابضة بالحياة.

مع أحدث نظام تشغيل أندرويد Android 11 ومعدل تحديث مرتفع 120 هرتز بالإضافة إلى تقدير الحركة وتعويض الحركة ( MEMC) ، تم إطلاق تلفزيون بشاشة كبيرة 98 بوصة من Changhong ، أول طراز تلفزيوني للشركة للأسواق الدولية، يعالج بشكل فعال الاهتزاز والتشويه المرتبط بارتفاع – سرعة الصور المتحركة.

يعد طراز Eva من Changhong ، وهو أول مكيف هواء في العالم يدعم عدة لغات والتحكم الصوتي دون اتصال بالإنترنت، بتجربة تفاعلية أفضل مع دعمه لثماني لغات جنبًا إلى جنب مع التنشيط الصوتي حتى في المناطق التي لا يوجد بها اتصال بالإنترنت.

تشمل المعروضات الرائعة في Changhong أيضًا ثلاجات وغسالات Space Pro التي تكون أرق وأصغر حجمًا من المنتجات المماثلة المتوفرة في السوق بفضل تقنية الشركة فائقة النحافة الرائدة عالميًا. توفر سلسلة ثلاجات Space Pro بفضل تقنية الحفظ التي تمت ترقيتها بالكامل، أداءً أفضل من حيث الحفاظ على الطعام طازجًا من خلال إطالة العمر الافتراضي بشكل فعال.

تؤدي الجهود المبذولة في توسيع قنوات المبيعات إلى نمو مطرد في أعمال Changhong الدولية

على الرغم من الضغوط والتحديات التي تواجه الأعمال التجارية الدولية في عام 2022، وسعت Changhong قنوات المبيعات مع تعزيز كفاءتها في المنتجات والتقنيات بالإضافة إلى قدرات التصنيع الذكية الأمامية. من خلال القيام بذلك، حققت نموًا مطردًا في ثلاثة خطوط إنتاج رئيسية – أجهزة التلفزيون ومكيفات الهواء وكذلك الثلاجات والغسالات جنبًا إلى جنب مع تعزيز ربحيتها. أظهرت إيرادات مبيعات الشركة من مكيفات الهواء زيادة سنوية بنسبة 40٪ تقريبًا بنهاية شتنبر/أيلول على وجه الخصوص.

بالإضافة إلى ذلك، قامت Changhong بتسريع بناء قنوات البيع خارج سوقها المحلي في الصين من خلال توسيع وجودها في سوق التجارة الإلكترونية العالمي. نمت CHiQ العلامة التجارية للأجهزة المنزلية الذكية المتطورة بسرعة مع المنتجات المتاحة في أكثر من 30 دولة حول العالم. كما عززت العلامة التجارية قدرتها التنافسية.

في السنوات الأخيرة، واصلت Changhong تحسين إستراتيجيتها التجارية، مع تسهيل التصنيع الذكي والتحديث بالإضافة إلى توسيع السوق. قامت الشركة أيضًا ببناء وتعزيز نظام الابتكار التكنولوجي الخاص بها عبر سلاسل القيمة الأولية والنهائية عبر قطاعات متعددة، بما في ذلك ضواغط الثلاجة وتخزين البيانات الضخمة ووحدات إنترنت الأشياء. من خلال نهج عالمي لتطوير المنتجات والتصنيع وإدارة الأعمال، أصبحت Changhong علامة تجارية عالمية ذات رؤية دولية.

الصورة – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1921243/image.jpg  

کلچرل ڈیولپمنٹ فنڈ نے نیو یارک میں منعقد ہونے والی پرایرٹی  ترجیحی سمٹ میں سعودی عرب کے ثقافتی اقدامات کو اجاگر کیا ہے

نیو یارک، 17 اکتوبر، 2022 / PRNewswire/ — نیو یارک میں منعقد ہونے والی پرا ترجیحی سمٹ میں کلچرل ڈیولپمنٹ فنڈ (CDF) کی شرکت اختتام پذیر ہو گئی ہے۔ سمٹ میں فنڈ کی شرکت نے سعودی عرب کے ثقافتی منظر نامے کو آگے بڑھانے اور اس شعبے میں لوگوں اور اداروں کو با اختیار بنانے کے اپنے مقصد کے توسیعی جزو کا کردا ادا کیا ہے۔

اقوام متحدہ کی 77ویں جنرل اسمبلی کے موقع پر فیوچر انویسٹمنٹ انیشیئیٹِو (FII) کی جانب سے منعقد کی گئی پرائرٹی ترجیحی  سمٹ تقریبات کے ایک سلسلے کا حصہ تھی جس کا مقصد زندگی کے تمام شعبوں سے تعلق رکھنے والے افراد کے دلوں اور دماغوں میں اولین ترجیح معلوم کرنے کے لئے کھلے مکالمے کو فروغ دینا تھا۔ سمٹ کا ایجنڈا انسانیت کو متاثر کرنے والے عالمی چيلنجوں اور ان کے مفید حل تلاش کرنے کے بارے میں تبادلہ خیال کرنے کے لئے مختلف شعبوں سے شراکت داروں کے درمیان متعامل بات چیت اور مکالموں پر مشتمل تھا۔

سعودی عرب کے ثقافتی شعبے کے بنیادی مالیاتی متحرک کے طور پر، پرایرٹی سمٹ میں دیگر شرکاء کے علاوہ کلچرل ڈیویلپمنٹ فنڈ نے سمٹ میں فیوچر انویسٹمنٹ انیشیئیٹو (FII) کے ایک باضابطہ اسٹریٹجک پارٹنر کے طور پر شرکت کی۔

سمٹ کے دوران، ثقافتی ترقیاتی فنڈ کے CEO محمد بن دایل نے نئی نشاط ثنایہ (The Neo-Renaissance) کے عنوان سے ہونے والے پینل مکالمے میں شرکت کی جہاں انہوں نے سرمایہ کاری کو راغب کرنے، ثقافتی شعبوں کو با اختیار بنانے اور مقامی ثقافتی معیشت کے پھلنے پھولنے کے لئے مواقع پیدا کرنے میں CDF کے کردار کے بارے میں تبادلہ خیال کیا۔

سمٹ کے شرکاء کو بتایا گیا کہ CDF کس طریقے سے ثقافتی شعبے کو با اختیار بنانے اور تسلسل کو یقینی بنانے کا ایک فریم ورک تیار کرنے میں نجی اور سرکاری شعبوں کی معاونت کر رہا ہے۔ پوری سمٹ کے دوران، CDF نے اس بات کو اجاگر کیا کہ کس طرح اس کے منصوبے سعودی وژن 2030 کے سعودی عرب میں زندگی کے تقریبا ہر پہلوں سمیت زندگی کے معیارات کی کوالٹی کو بہتر بنانے کے اہداف کے ساتھ ہم آہنگ ہے۔

بن دایل نے اس بات پر بھی زور دیا کہ کس طرح CDF کا کردار سعودی عرب کے ترقیاتی ماحولیاتی نظام اور پائیدار قومی ترقی کے حصول کی مہم کے اندر دوسرے فنڈز کے ساتھ انضمام شدہ ہے۔

پرایرٹی سمٹ میں CDF کی شرکت سعودی عرب کے ثقافتی منظر نامے کو تبدیل کرنے میں مدد کے لئے مقامی اور بین الاقوامی سرمایہ کاری راغب کرنے کی اس کی حکمت عمل کا حصہ ہے، جو ملک کو اپنے آپ کو عالمی ثقافتی شا‏ئقین کے لئے ایک مرغوب مقام کے طور پر پیش کرنے میں معاون ہو سکے۔

ریاض

کلچرل ڈیولپمنٹ فنڈ ثقافت کو فروغ دینے والے کلیدی مقامی محرکات میں سے ایک ہے جو ایک ایسے ثقافتی ماحولیاتی نظام کو پروان چڑھا رہا ہے جو سرمایہ کاری کی حوصلہ افزائی کرے، تسلسل کو فروغ دے اور ثقافت کو بطور ایک طرز زندگی پیش کرے، جس سے سعودی عرب کی قومی شناخت میں اضافہ ہو اور زندگی کے معیار کے وژن 2030 کے اہداف پورا ہو سکیں۔

فنڈ ایک ایسا ثقافتی ماحولیاتی نظام قائم کر کے ان اہداف کو حاصل کرنا چاہتا ہے جو ثقافتی منصوبوں کو با اختیار بنانے اور ان کی نگرانی کرنے، کاروباروں کو راغب کرنے اور اسٹریٹیجک پروگراموں میں سرمایہ کاری کے ذریعے معیشت کو متنوع بنانے میں مدد دے، جس سے سعودی عرب کا ثقافتی شعبہ پروان چڑھ سکے اور اس کی افادیت میں اضافہ ہو۔

Team Mentor Matthew Hayden Throws Dinner for Pakistani Squad at his Home

Pakistan’s batting mentor Matthew Hayden invited the team for a dinner at his home in Brisbane as the team gears up for the 2022 T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia.

The former Australian opening batter invited the Pakistani team to spend the evening at his home after the warm-up game against England.

The video of the dinner shared by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also shows Indian cricketer turned commentator Sunil Gavaskar talking to the Pakistani players at Hayden’s house.

The video starts with some visuals of the team at the hotel, where skipper Babar Azam can be seen taking pictures of his teammates.

While hosting the team, Hayden said that he feels enormous gratitude and appreciation for the game of cricket.

“It [cricket] starts with brotherhood, then it extends to families and countries and it is a beautiful part of our lives”, he added.

 

Source: Pro Pakistan

Ahsan appeals nation to donate blankets for flood-hit shelter-less people

Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal has appealed to the nation, including overseas Pakistanis, to donate blankets for the flood-affected shelter less people before the onset of winter season.

 

Concluding the debate on flood relief activities in the National Assembly on Monday, he said the top priority of the government is to provide relief and rehabilitation to the flood-affected people.

 

The Minister vowed to revive the situation through national unity and support of civil society and national institutions. He said to foster the rehabilitation process we will introduce a proactive strategy soon. He said input of all stakeholders will be of great significance in this regard.

 

Ahsan Iqbal we are making concerted efforts to provide relief to our flood affected people. He said we did not waste our time in by elections as the challenge of rehabilitation was in front of us.

 

The Minister said initially we distributed 70 billion rupees under BISP program to support the flood affected ommunity. He said under this program each family household received 25000 rupees.

 

He said we have also given approval to the distribution of wheat seed worth nine billion rupees to support the farmers in flood affected areas. He said this program will run with the support of provincial governments.

 

Appreciating the efforts of all ministries, departments and security forces for rescue and relief operation, the Minister said without their support it was not possible to restore connectivity at vital links.

 

Ahsan Iqbal said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will announce a package for farmers soon in Farmer’s Convention. He said a comprehensive plan will be formulated to make Pakistan environment resilient to avert any future risks of climate change.

 

Responding to a question during Question Hour in the National Assembly, Minister of State for Interior Abdul Rehman Khan Kanju said that no proposal is under consideration for opening of a new sector in Islamabad.

 

He said the Capital Development Authority is undertaking development work on various sectors previously launched by the authority. He said any new sector will be launched after the completion of developmental work in sectors started earlier.

 

Responding to another question, the Minister of State said that Miywaki Forest has been planted in various locations of the federal capital which include F-9 Park, F-8, F-10, G-9, I-9, D-12 and F-7 sectors.

 

Earlier, the National Assembly resumed its session at the Parliament House in Islamabad with Presiding Officer Aliya Kamran in the chair.

 

The House offered fateha for the departed soul of Former Chief Justice Balochistan High Court Noor Muhammad Meskanzai. Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali led the fateha.

 

The House will now meet again at 4pm tomorrow (Tuesday).

 

Source: Radio Pakistan

President calls for early finalization of CEPA with UAE to increase Pakistan’s exports

President Dr Arif Alvi has called for early finalization of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates to enable Pakistan increase its exports.

 

He was talking to Pakistan’s Ambassador-designate to UAE Faisal Niaz Tirmizi who called on him in Islamabad on Monday.

 

The President underlined the need for exploring new avenues in economic diplomacy and investments with UAE and increase existing bilateral trade volume between the two countries.

 

He highlighted the huge potential for cooperation in the field of renewable energy, commercial, industrial, infrastructure development and hospitality sectors.

 

Dr Arif Alvi noted that remittances sent by 1.6 million Pakistani diaspora in UAE stood at 5.814 billion dollars in 2021-22 which immensely helped Pakistan overcome its foreign exchange requirements.

 

Mentioning Prime Minister’s ‘DigiSkills Training program’, the President asked the ambassador-designate to create digital linkages of the Pakistani diaspora with the online higher education institutions of Pakistan like AIOU and Virtual University to help them improve their income through latest digital skills.

 

He also advised the ambassador to sensitize the UAE leadership regarding increasing Islamophobia in Indian society and their pursuit of Hindutva, which is endangering the lives of minorities, especially Muslims living there.

 

The President conveyed his gratitude to the UAE for its assistance to the flood victims in Pakistan and also appreciated the country’s support to Pakistan at FATF and IMF.

 

Source: Radio Pakistan

Pregnant Women Struggle to Find Care After Pakistan’s Floods

The first five months of Shakeela Bibi’s pregnancy were smooth. She picked out a name, Uthman, and made him clothes and furniture. She had regular checkups at home and access to medicine. Then an ultrasound revealed the baby was upside down. The doctor told Bibi to take extra care and rest.

And then came this summer’s massive floods. Bibi’s home in the southern Pakistani city of Rajanpur was inundated.

When she spoke to The Associated Press last month, she was living in a camp for displaced families. With her due date approaching, she was afraid over the possibility of a breech birth with almost no health care accessible.

“What happens if my health deteriorates suddenly?” Shakeela said. She has a blood deficiency and sometimes low blood pressure, but she said she can’t have a proper diet in the camp. “I’ve been in a camp for two months, sleeping on the ground, and this is making my situation worse.”

Pregnant women are struggling to get care after Pakistan’s unprecedented flooding, which inundated a third of the country at its height and drove millions from their homes. There are at least at least 610,000 pregnant women in flood-affected areas, according to the Population Council, a U.S.-based reproductive health organization.

Possible Death, Disability, and Disease

Many live in tent camps for the displaced, or try to make it on their own with their families in flood-wrecked villages and towns. Women have lost access to health services after more than 1,500 health facilities and large stretches of roads were destroyed. More than 130,000 pregnant women need urgent care, with some 2,000 a day giving birth mostly in unsafe conditions, according to the United Nations.

Experts fear an increase in infant mortality or health complications for mothers or children in a country that already has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in Asia. They also warn of dangerous, long-term repercussions for women, such as an increase in child marriage and unwanted pregnancies because of the disruptions in the lives and livelihoods of families.

Rasheed Ahmed, a humanitarian analyst at the U.N. Population Fund, said the health system was already poor before, and he warned now of “death, disability, and disease” if the health of pregnant women is ignored.

“The biggest shortage is female health care workers, medical supplies and medicine,” he said. “Resources are another challenge. What are the government’s priorities? Are they willing to spend the money?”

At camps in the flood-hit towns of Fazilpur and Rajanpur, pregnant women told the AP they had received no treatment or services for their pregnancies since arriving at the camps nearly two months ago. Clinics handed out medicines for minor ailments, but nothing for mothers-to-be. The next day, after the AP visited a local medical center to alert their plight, female health workers went to check on the women and distribute calcium sachets and iron supplements.

Shakeela Bibi and her family eventually left the camp, taking their tent with them and setting it up close to their wrecked home. Authorities gave them a month’s worth of flour, ghee, and lentils. She is now past her due date, but doctors have assured her that her baby is fine and don’t think she will need a Caesarian.

Perveen Bibi, an 18-year-old who is five months pregnant and not related to Shakeela, said the lack of health facilities in the camp forced her to travel to a private clinic and pay for an ultrasound and check-up. But she was prescribed medicine she can’t afford to buy.

“I used to have a good diet, with dairy products from our livestock,” she said. The family had to sell their livestock after the floods because they had no place to keep them and no way to feed them.

“We need female doctors, female nurses, gynecologists,” said Bibi, who has one daughter and is expecting a boy. She had a son around a year ago, but he died a few days after his birth. “We can’t afford ultrasound or IV. We’re just getting by.”

Groups, Individuals Offer Support

In the camps, families of five, seven or more eat, sleep, and spend their days and nights in one tent, sometimes with just one bed between them. Most sleep on floor mats. Some survivors only have the clothes they fled in and rely on donations.

Outdoor taps are used for washing clothes, washing dishes, and bathing. The pregnant women said there were shortages of clean water and soap. They were scared of infections because of open defecation at the camps. A bathroom was set up, but it has no roof and tents surround it.

Amid the devastation, organizations and individuals are doing what they can — the UNFPA is delivering supplies for newborn babies and safe delivery kits across four flood-hit provinces.

A Karachi-based NGO, the Mama Baby Fund, has provided 9,000 safe delivery kits, which include items for new-borns, across Sindh and Baluchistan provinces, as well as antenatal and postnatal check-ups for 1,000 women. The Association for Mothers and Newborns, also based in Karachi, has provided more than 1,500 safe delivery kits, mostly in Sindh.

Ahmed from the UNFPA says pregnant women have different needs to the rest of the displaced population, needs that aren’t being met by state efforts.

“The government’s response is very general, it’s for the masses. It’s about shelter, relocation,” Ahmed said. “I’ve heard about women miscarrying because of mental stress, the physical stress of displacement and relocation.”

Long-lasting effects

The health crisis triggered by the flooding will reverberate among women because it will take long to rebuild health facilities and restore family planning, according to Saima Bashir from the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics.

“Women and young girls are very vulnerable in this situation,” said Bashir. She pointed to increasing reports of child marriage.

Even before the floods, 21% of Pakistani girls were married before the age of 18, and 4% before the age of 15, according to U.N. figures.

The rate is increasing for several reasons. Some parents marry off their daughters as a way to obtain financial support from the boy’s family so they can rebuild their homes. Others fear for the safety of their girls in displaced camps and believe marrying them off will protect them from abuse or secure their future. Also, the destruction of schools in the floods closes off other options; some girls who would have gotten an education or possibly gone on to work will stay at home instead.

In the next few years, those girls will get pregnant, Bashir said, especially given limited access to contraception.

“There will be more unwanted pregnancies,” she said. “This is … compounding this crisis, and it’s adding to the population.”

Source: Voice of America

Next general elections to be held on time: Marriyum

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb says PTI Chief Imran Khan Niazi’s call for the march is aimed at creating unrest, chaos and uncertainty in the country.            

Talking to newsmen in Islamabad on Monday evening, she said Imran Khan remained imposed on the people of Pakistan for four years, but he failed to deliver. She said during that four-year tenure Imran Khan brought the country on the verge of bankruptcy.

The Minister said the Imran Khan-led regime not only sold Kashmir, but also compromised country’s sovereignty for his personal gains.

Talking about results of recent by-polls, the Minster said it should be kept in view that PTI lost its two seats in these elections. She further said that winning by-elections does not grant a license to wage an attack on the Federation.

Regarding the arrest of Senator Azam Khan Sawati, the Minister said Imran Khan should have taken notice of the illegal arrests of the entire PML-N leadership including Nawaz Sharif and his family during his tenure.

To a question, the Minister said it is the constitutional right of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to appoint the new Army Chief under the law.

Marriyum Aurangzeb said Imran Khan cannot deprive the Prime Minister of this constitutional right by force and threats.

Source: Radio Pakistan