How SHINE Humanity Responds to Emergencies & Natural Disasters
In times of crisis, response speed and coordination are critical. While governments lead national efforts, non-governmental organizations play a pivotal role in filling the gaps. Among these, SHINE Humanity Pakistan has continually demonstrated a highly responsive and structured approach to disaster relief, grounded in healthcare and humanitarian support.
This blog explores how SHINE strategically responds to emergencies and natural disasters, not just with temporary aid, but with long-term community impact.
How It All Began
The beginnings of SHINE Humanity trace back to 2005, not as a formal organization, but as a deeply personal response to tragedy. In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in Northern Pakistan, Dr. Salman Naqvi, a U.S.-based critical care pulmonologist, was volunteering in the disaster zone when he cradled a two-year-old child who passed away in his arms. That moment of helpless loss left a lasting mark on him and his fellow medical school friends, sparking a determination to make a difference for those in need.
What started as an informal disaster-relief effort grew into something much bigger. By 2009, SHINE Humanity was officially registered as a nonprofit organization, transitioning from short-term emergency aid to a mission focused on providing sustainable primary healthcare to underserved communities. In 2013, SHINE opened its first rural health clinic in Sindh, the foundation for what is now a network of nearly 20 healthcare centers serving some of Pakistan’s most vulnerable populations.
Our Track Record in Crises Response
Over the years, our teams have responded to disasters both locally and globally, from providing aid after the 2010 Haiti earthquake and the 2011 tsunami in Japan, to medical missions in Peru. We also sent rotations of healthcare staff to a Rohingya refugee camp in Bangladesh (2017–2018) and, in 2019, led a 41-member mission to Gilgit Baltistan where more than 4,250 patients were treated and 122 surgeries performed. These experiences have shaped the expertise and agility that define SHINE’s disaster response today.
2005 Earthquake: Delivering Long-Term Healthcare to Neglected Regions
Following the devastating 7.6 magnitude earthquake in Northern Pakistan in 2005, the humanitarian need was overwhelming. While aid flooded into major cities, remote regions like Chikar in Kashmir remained severely neglected.
SHINE was one of the few NGOs that initiated a long-term healthcare program in these isolated areas. Through structured rehabilitation planning, the organization reached over 400,000 affected individuals. Medical camps, surgical interventions, and maternal care units were set up often in makeshift facilities, under tents or damaged buildings.
It was the beginning of what we now follow as a multi-phase disaster model, starting with immediate relief, followed by medical stabilisation, and then long-term community recovery.
2010 Haiti Earthquake: Extending Our Reach Beyond Borders
Disaster doesn’t acknowledge borders, and neither does SHINE. After the catastrophic earthquake struck Haiti in 2010, SHINE sent volunteer medical teams in collaboration with global partners.
Patients received more than just basic aid. Diagnostic services, minor surgeries, medication, and psychological support were provided in structured medical camps. The teams served communities cut off from mainstream relief corridors, reaching over 1,000 patients during the mission.
This international deployment demonstrated SHINE’s capacity to operate across languages, systems, and continents, making it one of the few organizations with a true global footprint.
Standing Strong During COVID-19
When COVID-19 swept across Pakistan, the challenge was unlike any we had faced before, a crisis with no clear borders, touching every home, every village, every city. Hospitals were overwhelmed, access to care was disrupted, and misinformation was spreading as quickly as the virus itself.
SHINE responded with a dual strategy:
On-the-ground medical support: Deploying mobile medical units for screenings, distributing personal protective equipment, supplying oxygen cylinders, and treating patients in underserved areas.
Remote healthcare access: Expanding telemedicine services so patients in remote regions could still receive medical advice and follow-up without the risk of in-person exposure.
Alongside direct care, we launched public awareness campaigns on preventive measures, helping communities take steps to protect themselves and slow the spread of the virus.
2022 Floods: Expanding Healthcare Through MUCS (Mobile Urgent Care Units)
In 2022, historic monsoon rains triggered catastrophic flooding across Pakistan, submerging nearly one-third of the country and displacing millions. In many areas, healthcare access collapsed entirely.
SHINE acted quickly, deploying medical teams to the most severely affected districts in Sindh including locations cut off from conventional access routes. Recognising that temporary relief camps could not meet the long-term needs, we established two Mobile Urgent Care Units (MUCs):
Fully equipped with diagnostic tools, medications, and treatment facilities.
Staffed with trained medical professionals capable of managing both acute and chronic conditions.
Offering maternal and child healthcare, vaccination drives, and testing for diseases such as malaria, dengue, and diabetes.
One of these MUCs was deployed to Kot Alama village in Sujawal, at the request of the Sindh Government, to serve communities displaced near the Indus River. In this deployment alone, nearly 200 patients received treatment. The clinic played a vital role in preventing the spread of dangerous waterborne diseases and ensuring continued access to quality primary care in the aftermath of the floods.
Beyond medical treatment, we distributed clean drinking water, cooked meals, and warm clothing to restore a sense of safety and dignity to displaced families. The MUCs became a lifeline and remain a model for how mobile healthcare can sustain disaster-affected communities beyond the immediate crisis.
A Structured Response Framework
SHINE follows a structured plan that includes preparation, organised action, and long-term recovery. Our model focuses on:
1. Rapid Medical Deployment
Emergency doctors and paramedics on standby
Ready-to-dispatch kits including medication, diagnostics, and surgical tools
Pre-trained volunteers in disaster protocols
2. Community Collaboration
Partnering with local healthcare units
Hiring local staff for translation and cultural alignment
3. Long-Term Rebuilding
Post-crisis maternal and child health education
Mental health support
Training of local medical personnel for sustainability
Conclusion
Natural and man-made disasters will continue to challenge vulnerable populations. But structured, compassionate, and medically sound responses can change lives. Over the years, SHINE Humanity has served as a beacon of hope in Pakistan and beyond, with a clear commitment to both immediate care and long-term recovery.
You can also be a part of this mission. Whether through donations, partnerships, or volunteering, your support can help us reach those who need it most.
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FAQs
What is SHINE’s main focus during disaster response?
Their primary focus is delivering emergency medical care and long-term health support to affected communities, especially where public healthcare systems are insufficient.
How quickly does SHINE deploy its disaster relief teams?
SHINE has 3 Mobile Urgent Care units which are equipped with state of the art medical equipment to be deployed in crisis situations. The mobility of the units is the most useful aspect of the clinics.
How does SHINE choose which areas to prioritize during a disaster?
We assess multiple factors including severity of impact, access limitations, population vulnerability, and gaps in existing relief efforts. Our goal is to reach areas where medical aid is critically needed and least available.
Can individuals or organizations collaborate with SHINE during emergencies?
Yes. We actively welcome collaboration with medical professionals, NGOs, and donors who align with our mission. Working together allows us to expand our reach and deliver faster, more effective relief.