UAE ambassador joins volunteers to help flood-affected Pakistanis

Islamabad: United Arab Emirates (UAE) Ambassador to Pakistan Hamad Obaid Al Zaabi joined hundreds of volunteers from across the UAE to collect relief packages for millions of Pakistanis affected by the catastrophic floods. These relief kits will be delivered to Pakistan on an urgent basis.

“UAE with the support of wise leadership managed to transform the concept of charitable work into human values and the great success of the ‘We Stand Together’ initiative to support the brothers in Pakistan is an embodiment of these noble values,” the UAE ambassador said.

Over the last weekend, volunteers in UAE joined an initiative “We Stand Together” to pack 1,200 tons of food, health care and general hygiene items in 30,000 kits for flood-affected families in Pakistan within four hours. The initiative was launched by a coalition of 12 humanitarian organizations.

The community volunteering event took place at three locations including Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. The initiative was launched by Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), Dubai Cares and Sharjah Charity International in close coordination with the Ministry of Community Development (MoCD) and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) in the UAE, with the support of nine other UAE humanitarian organizations.

Floods from record monsoon rains have affected 33 million people and killed almost 1,400 including almost 500 children. The catastrophic floods have ruined lives, swept away roads and infrastructure, destroyed over one million homes and crops, killed livestock, and wiped out livelihoods. Pakistan’s planning minister Ahsan Iqbal said the economic losses caused by the floods in the country could go beyond $40 billion.

The UAE has been among the first countries to respond to the humanitarian crisis by providing emergency support to the affected people. Since August 28, UAE has sent 37 flights and one ship to deliver much-needed food, medical supplies and tents to the flood-affected communities, according to Pakistan Foreign Office. “An Emirati aid ship carrying more than 18 containers of 2,750 tons of food, medical and relief items arrived at Port Qasim in Karachi to provide emergency support to the humanitarian situation for about 140,000 Pakistani families” affected by the floods, the UAE embassy said.

10 aid planes from Saudi Arabia

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) has launched a massive relief airlift from Saudi Arabia to provide urgent assistance via 10 aid planes to flood victims in Pakistan under the directives of Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud.

The first two planes would depart on September 13 from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh carrying 180 tons of food, medical, and shelter assistance, said Dr Al Rabeeah, KSrelief supervisor general. The first batch of relief would benefit 19,000 people, he said. The aid planes complement the relief land convoy launched inside Pakistan in coordination with the Saudi Arabian Embassy. “The convoy is carrying shelter, food and medical aid which will be distributed in affected areas.”

KSRelief has also launched a public campaign in Saudi Arabia to raise funds for Pakistan flood victims. People in Saudi Arabia have been urged to donate via the “Sahem” app or website or deposit money in one of the centre’s bank accounts.

As many as 83 international aid flights have arrived in Pakistan carrying tonnes of much-needed supplies for millions of people affected by devastating monsoon rains and floods.

caption UAE Ambassador Hamad Al Zaabi with Pakistani actor and social activist Fakhr-e-Alam at the initiative to prepare food packs for flood-affected people of Pakistan on September 12, 2022. Image Credit - UAE Embassy Pakistan