Islamabad: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has announced urgent aid and support including food and shelter for those affected by recent floods in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), has directed the authority to “provide urgent humanitarian aid and support” for the people of Balochistan and extend humanitarian services.
The devastating floods and the unprecedented monsoon rains in Pakistan have claimed more than 550 lives and injured more than 900 people across Pakistan since mid-June, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) confirmed. The worst affected was Balochistan province which reported the deaths of 176 people including 55 children and 44 women, according to the local disaster management authority.
The Emirates Red Crescent began the implementation of the first phase of the relief programme immediately to ensure that the basic needs of food and shelter are met for thousands of families.
“The first phase focused on providing aid to areas most ravaged by floods, such as the districts of Lasbela and Jhal Magsi,” WAM reported.
Later, the relief agency will also send relief convoys to other areas to help their residents deal with the current situation and overcome the challenges they face in terms of securing food and shelter.
“The ERC’s aid took into account the requirements of the vulnerable groups such as children, women, people of determination, the elderly people and others, as part of its humanitarian programmes to aid those affected by floods.”
Last week, Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRC) also sent another consignment of 20 emergency relief trucks carrying 190 tonnes loaded with essential food items to NDMA for flood-hit people in Balochistan and other affected regions. Around 2,000 food packages were handed over by KSRC to extend support to the flood-affected people living in Balochistan.
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