UAE steps up relief efforts in Pakistan

Islamabad: The UAE Armed Forces will step up relief operations in Pakistan's flood-affected regions as per the directives of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The UAE Armed Forces is operating an air bridge between the flood-hit areas to deliver relief to the affected population.

The commander of the UAE Armed Force's Relief Team in Pakistan said a fleet of Chinook helicopters had been deployed to evacuate people to shelters built by the Pakistani government.

"The UAE Armed Forces team is assisting the Pakistani army to evacuate the distressed population to safe areas and airlift relief supplies to flood engulfed areas which could not be reached by land," he added.

UAE aircraft are also carrying relief assistance offered by friendly countries from main airports to locations of internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Relief operations will continue in an attempt to improve the living condition of the flood victims.

The commander added that his team had been among the first aid providers in Pakistan and intensified its humanitarian and relief works in various regions like Punjab.

Officials of Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority paid tribute to the UAE for standing and supporting the Pakistani people in this ordeal.