UAE aid aircraft flies to Pakistan

Abu Dhabi: An aircraft loaded with 35 tonnes of food and vital aid departed from the UAE yesterday to help some of the 23 million flood victims in Pakistan.

The effort, led by the UAE Red Crescent Authority (RCA), is part of a national humanitarian drive to help the victims and reduce the burden and suffering caused by the floods.

The shipment, destined for north-west Pakistan, includes food and nutrition, tents, medical supplies and clothes. In addition, 150 tonnes of dates have already been sent to Pakistan for Ramadan.

The RCA is co-ordinating with Unicef (United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund) as part of the drive to evaluate and minimise the potential health risks and spread of disease which usually follows such a devastating natural disaster. A total of 625,000 people will benefit from vaccines, including 262,500 children who will be vaccinated against measles and 137,000 women against tetanus.

A team of doctors is to travel within a few days to the disaster area to provide health care to the victims. Dr Mohammad Salah, a physician who works for the Abu Dhabi Police Medical Services has volunteered to join the team. He said "This is a calamity that requires every possible support. Zakat is not just donating money but effort and time like taking part in this trip."

Health care

In collaboration with the Pakistani Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation, the Red Crescent will finance an existing hospital in Peshawar to be fully operational for a month, and likely longer. This would be in addition to mobile medical services in Poshera. RCA Chairman Ahmad Humaid Al Mazroui said: "We are providing support as fast as possible, and we are exploring every possible scenario to help the victims."

He further assured that "the Red Crescent will continue to provide equally needed medical support, with particular focus to badly damaged areas in Charsadda, Nowshera, Jafarabad, and other areas despite logistical difficulties of transportation and provisioning".

"During Ramadan and Eid, the Red Crescent has also plans to provide additional support to families who have been separated and are at an increased risk," Al Mazroui said.

Red Crescent Secretary General Mohammad Khalifa Al Qamzi is calling for assistance and generous donations from the public saying: "The Red Crescent strength is reinforced by the donation and volunteer work."