Humanity First

Last week I was pleased to take a delegation from the charity Humanity First to Parliament to meet with international development minister, Gareth Thomas MP.

Humanity First is an international aid agency that provides aid and assistance to those in need irrespective of race, religion or politics from registered offices in 29 countries. HF has active projects in 35 countries across 6 continents, including a team working on disaster relief in Haiti.

I was approached by Humanity First because they wanted to raise the profile of their work and wished in particular to take their first hand experience of aid and development issues from across the globe to the Government. I was pleased to be able to help and, following his visit to Putney last year, was delighted when Gareth Thomas agreed to my request for a meeting. The meeting was very productive and looks likely to have opened a useful dialogue between the Government, DFID and a well regarded aid agency.

For more details about Humanity First, visit their website www.humanityfirst.org.uk

Pictured above, from left to right next to me are: Mansoor Shah, Chairman of Humanity First; development minister Gareth Thomas MP; Dr Rashid Shahnawaz, Medical Director; and Masood Lone, Director of Fundraising.