Muscat: The Foreign Affairs Minister of Pakistan, Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi, has declared the recent floods in Pakistan the worst humanitarian crisis in the history of the country and called for the support of the world community in dealing with it.
On a tour to explain, to the GCC leadership, the extent of the damage caused by the flood and the resources needed to deal with the problems resulting from it, Qureshi appealed to the Pakistani people in Oman to give generously.
"Oman is the third biggest country in the GCC after Saudi Arabia and the UAE, in terms of remittances sent by the overseas Pakistanis," he remarked during his speech to a select gathering of Pakistani expatriates at the Pakistan School in Muscat on Monday evening. “We’re aware of the significant contribution made by Pakistanis living in Oman whenever the country has needed them.”
He pointed out that the government in Pakistan is facing huge challenges in dealing with the effects of the natural disaster. “We have devised a three-pronged strategy to deal with the situation,” he said. “First, is a relief and rescue effort, which is continuing now on full force.”
He added that next would be early economic recovery and said that the government in Pakistan is already working on this both at home abroad.
“We can see the people of Pakistan are now out of a state of shock and paralysis and contributing sincerely to the national cause,” he said. “Though the challenge is huge, we want to overcome it as soon as possible,” he declared.
“Thirdly, he added, “We are looking to rebuild and rehabilitate at a swift pace. I know this cannot be done overnight, but the sooner we restore the infrastructure and bring people back to their homes the better.”
During his visit he held talks with top Omani officials to explore how Oman could help Pakistan during the next phase of the recovery operation in October, when damage need assessment will be carried out.
“That is the time we will be able to give a complete picture of the damage caused and the amount required for the process of rebuilding,” he stated.
“Asian Development Bank, World Bank and UNDP are assisting Pakistan in assessing the damage. Once that report is shared with us then we will be able to give an exact figure.”
Qureshi thanked Oman Charitable Organisation (OCO) for its role in taking and delivering relief goods to the affected areas of Pakistan.
He also thanked the Indian government, calling their offer of aid a “very human approach” to the crisis.
