Since the project is initiated, we have received encouraging responses from all the stakeholders; either it is the provincial government or the community who are the ultimate beneficiaries of this project. Meetings with high officials in the provincial government, law-enforcement agencies, civil society organizations, and concerned bureaucrats have been espousing. We hope that the project “Smoke-Free Gilgit-Baltistan” gifted by “Tobacco-Free Kids Action Fund” will be a blessing for the communities affected by harms of tobacco. directly and indirectly. Till the end of the year 2020, we will become able to introduce provincial-based tobacco selling licenses to shop keepers in Gilgit-Baltistan through proper channel after finalization of rules against the new legislation. This will ensure the ban on selling tobacco products without a vendor’s license throughout Gilgit-Baltistan.

On 25^th of July 2020, a meeting was conducted with MSDHQ hospital Ghizer Mr. Muhammad Baig at DHQ Hospital Ghakuch to discuss the inauguration of DHQ hospital Ghizer as smoke-free place.

DHQ Ghakuch was officially inaugurated by AC Punial Ishkomen, MSDHQ  Hospital  Ghakuch, and CEO SEEDO Aziz Karim on July 28, 2020.

In this changing and challenging situation, SEEDO board members have decided to cooperate with Gilgit-Baltistan Govt and offered its voluntary services in COVID-19 relief and prevention activities in Gilgit Division. CEO, SEEDO and Commissioner Gilgit Division came to an agreement to undertake prevention and relief activities on an emergency basis on March 25, CEO SEEDO. Since then SEEDO has undertaken in flowing relief and prevention activities, along with a team of more than 100 local volunteers in Gilgit Division:-

DISINFECTION SPRAYS:

• QUARANTINE CENTERS: Rakaphoshi Hotel Gilgit, Muhammad Abad Danyore, Gateway Hotel Gilgit, Basin Gilgit, Jafar Abad Nagar, Nagar Khaas, Tokar Valley (80 households)
• PUBLIC PLACES: More than 50 Markets, More than 500 prayer and worship areas, More than 1000 vehicles, More than 200 Govt and Private Office/health centers/police stations/bank/ATMs.
• COVID-19 AFFECTED VILLAGES:  Tokar Valley, Kanjokushal, Shabbir Abad, Neeko Khun

FOOD RATION PACKAGES:

• Distributed more than 500 food ration package amongst the neediest households.

PPEs, PREVENTION AND INFORMATION ACTIVITIES:

• SEEDO started local manufacturing of ordinary face masks on an emergent basis to fulfill a high shortage of face masks in the local market. More than 10,000 locally manufactured ordinary masks have been distributed to administration, law enforcement, volunteers and public involved in different public services.
• More than 5000 brochures with public messages regarding COVID-19 information and prevention are distributed to the public, volunteers, and administration on duty.
• SEEDO undertook a literature review of more than 70 research papers and published a research paper regarding possible ways of COVID-19 virus spread and most vulnerable people to COVID-19”.