ISLAMABAD, Aug 30 (APP): Federal Minister for Defence Production Muhammad Israr Tareen on Tuesday called on the Deputy Defence Minister kingdom of Thailand General Chaichan Changmongkol on side-line of Defense and Security 2022 Exhibition.
The Defence exhibition was being held from August 29 to September 1 in Thailand, according to news release.
ISLAMABAD, Aug 30 (APP): UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, today urged support for a massive scale-up in emergency relief for millions of people in Pakistan hit by monsoon floods that have already killed more than 1,000 people.
Over 30 million people in Pakistan have been affected by torrential rains and flash floods across the country, leaving 6.4 million people in need of immediate support. Since June, hundreds of thousands have been displaced by the floods, and are now living in camps, or with host families, said in a Press release issued here on Tuesday.
‘’Rain and floods have been catastrophic for millions of people. We urgently need global support and solidarity for Pakistan in these dire times,’’ said Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
The Government of Pakistan initiated a response and appealed for international support as the floods have devastated many parts of the country.
‘’The International community must step up its support and help Pakistan’s response to this catastrophe,’’ Grandi said.
Pakistan is also home to some 1.3 million registered Afghan refugees and has been a generous refugee host for more than 40 years.
As part of a coordinated response under the leadership of Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Committee (NDMA) and with other partners, UNHCR has delivered relief items in the worst hit areas of Balochistan and Khyber Paktunkhwa provinces.
So far, UNHCR has provided refugee villages, as well as host communities, with more than 71,000 emergency relief items, including tents, plastic tarpaulins, sanitary products, cooking stoves, blankets, solar lamps and sleeping mats. In addition, UNHCR delivered 10,000 sacks to help households build up defences around their homes. This assistance to date amounts to over US$1.5 million.
A UN funding appeal issued in support of the government-led response today is seeking around US$160 million to help over 5 million people in the worst-affected areas with food, education, shelter and protection among other things.
UNHCR has previously assisted local communities in Pakistan hit by the deadly earthquake in 2005 and major floods in 2010.
BEIJING, Aug 30 (APP): In light of the situation on the ground and based on Pakistan’s needs, China will provide another batch of emergency humanitarian supplies including 25,000 tents to flood-hit Pakistan, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Monday.
The same day, Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message of condolence to his Pakistani counterpart, Arif Alvi, over the severe floods hitting the country.
On behalf of the Chinese government and people, and in his own name, Xi expressed deep condolences over the victims and sincere sympathy to the bereaved families, the injured and the people in the affected areas.
“We have seen many news stories about the floods, especially videos of the devastation the floods have caused in Pakistan. They are heart-wrenching and staggering. China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners and true friends and good brothers sharing weal and woe. Since Pakistan was hit by the floods, our thoughts have been with the people in the affected areas. We feel deeply for the Pakistani side in this difficult time,” Zhao said.
China is stepping up its response to severe rains and flooding across Pakistan which have reportedly killed over 1,000 people.
The spokesperson said that China’s State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed sympathy to Pakistani Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari upon learning the news of the floods, CEN reported.
Last week, Luo Zhaohui, chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), met with Moin ul Haque, Pakistani Ambassador to China.
They discussed the establishment of a joint working group and the designation of liaison officers to implement emergency relief and follow-up cooperation.
According CIDCA, it has increased coordination, and the new batch of flood relief supplies will be delivered by August 30.
In addition, China will continue to provide more support within its capacity for Pakistan’s post-disaster reconstruction.
Under the social and livelihood cooperation framework of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, China has provided 4,000 tents, 50,000 blankets and 50,000 pieces of waterproof tarp to Pakistan, which have been delivered to the frontline of disaster relief, noted Zhao.
Moreover, the Red Cross Society of China will provide USD 300,000 in emergency cash assistance to the Pakistan Red Crescent Society.
While the All-Pakistan Chinese Enterprises’ Association (APCEA) has donated 15 million PKR to the Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund.
According to reports, besides the relief fund, APCEA members are also using other ways to extend their helping hand during the flood season.
The Chinese companies in Pakistan are arranging machines to repair the damaged road as an attempt to bring immediate and direct help to the locals.
Ruthless disaster can bring out the best of humanity.
Zhao noted that, “we won’t forget that in the wake of the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008, the brotherly Pakistani people rushed to our assistance and sent all their tents in reserve to the stricken area in China.
“Now as the Pakistani people grapple with the floods, we are standing with them. Going forward, China will continue to enhance cooperation with Pakistan in disaster prevention and mitigation and global climate response and provide more assistance to Pakistan in its flood relief efforts and post-disaster reconstruction. We believe those in the disaster-hit areas will surely overcome the flood and rebuild their homes as early as possible,” Zhao added.
APP/asg
OTTAWA, Aug 30 (APP): Pakistan High Commissioner Zaheer Janjua on Tuesday thanked Canadian Minister for International Development Harjit Sajjan for announcing a $ 5 million aid for the relief and rehabilitation of people affected by floods in Pakistan.
“The people of Pakistan are grateful to the Canadian government and its people,” the High Commissioner said during a meeting of the office bearers of local Pakistani Canadian organizations held here at the Pakistan High Commission to coordinate the efforts of Canadians living in Pakistan and the Canadians of Pakistani origin for relief and rehabilitation of the people affected by floods in Pakistan.
The High Commissioner while briefing the participants on the latest situation of the floods said that the unprecedented rains and floods had caused widespread destruction in a large part of Pakistan.
The floods have so far affected 33 million people while more than 1100 human lives have been lost and more than 1600 people have been injured. The number of cattle killed due to floods and rains has also increased to more than 700,000, he added.
High Commissioner Janjua further said that rains and floods had also caused severe damage to public buildings and infrastructure and so far more than one million houses had been partially or completely destroyed and 163 bridges and 170 shops had been destroyed in addition to 3400 kms of roads damaged.
Speaking to the participants of the meeting, he further said that the Canadian government, especially Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly and Minister of International Development Harjit Sajjan, in their statements had expressed sympathy with the flood-affected people in Pakistan.
High Commissioner Janjua said that like the government and people of Canada, nearly 500,000 Pakistani expatriates in Canada should also come forward on the call of their homeland and rise above their personal, political and group prejudices and be united to help their brothers and sisters whose lives and properties have been ravaged by floods in Pakistan.
The meeting was attended by Ms Mashooda Lubna Syed, Iftikhar Mirza, Mobeen Khaja and officers of the Pakistan High Commission.
KAGHAN, Aug 30 (APP): Mahandri Bazar was saved from the expected major disaster by changing the direction of the mountain stream which caused destruction in Mahandri and Manoor Bela valleys of Mansehra.
According to the details, following the directives of the provincial government Kaghan Development Authority (KDA) engineers and technical staff started the operation to restore the previous direction of the rain drain with heavy machinery and changed the direction of the water to its original route and saved the residential area and Bazar of Mahandri from the expected threat of flash flood.
Public Representative Mushtaq Khan Swati, Babu Ashraf, Haji Rashid, Haji Khaqan Khan credited the KDA for timely action in mitigating the possibility of any kind of danger in the coming days.
Last week’s flash flood, swept away 14 precious human lives, 17 vehicles, dozens of shops and a bridge, the heavy stones and mud that came along with the flash in the drain turned the direction of the drain towards the residential area of Mahandri Bazar.
On the other side, the residents of Manoor valley still await for help after the destruction of the only connecting bridge between the valley and several villages of the area during the last week’s heavy downpour and flash flood.
Due to the non-availability of the mobile network and the destruction of the only connecting road, Manor valley’s communication with Balakot and Mansehra was cut off.
People also facing shortage of rations, medicines and other necessities of life demanding the KP government to take immediate measures to rehabilitate the flood victims.
GILGIT, Aug 30 (APP): The Cabinet of Gilgit-Baltistan announced to donate their one-month salary for the flood relief programs.
According to details, the GB cabinet members announced to donate their one-month salary for flood relief programs, while the government would also contribute a 5 day salary of chief secretary and the inspector general GB; a three-day salary of grade 19-20 officers, and a day salary of grade 16-18 of government employees (except health and education sector) using it for flood relief programs.
MIRPUR [AJK], Aug 30 (APP): Thousands of people belonging to all segments of the civil society here on Tuesday staged ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ rally with prime focus to raised awareness among the masses to participate in the country-wide, including AJK, fund raising drive for the rehabilitation of the country-fellows affected by the devastating floods in almost all parts of the country.
The rally was jointly organized by all sections of the civil society which reiterated full solidarity and integrity with the armed forces of Pakistan to encourage, lauding their tremendous role for the safety and protection of the lives and properties of the Pakistani nation in any natural catastrophe, such as earthquakes and floods.
The rally started from Quaid-e-Azam stadium as the participants of the rally carried placards and banners bearing slogans, raising the need of generous financial and material relief for the flood affectees, passed through Mian Muhammad Road and Allama Iqbal Road and converged into a public congregation at central shaheed chowk.
The participants of the rally were holding national flags of Pakistan and banners bearing slogans of full solidarity with the valiant armed forces of Pakistan and all other patriotic forces of the motherland – engaged in the relief works to save and rehabilitate the precious lives through lifting the marooned people in the flooded parts of the country.
ISLAMABAD, Aug 30 (APP): Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special initiatives Ahsan Iqbal on Tuesday said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government had failed to implement Flood Protection Programme (FPP) multiplied flood damages in the country.
Addressing a press conference, the minister said that in 2013, when the PML-N government took charge, the country had already faced devastated floods in 2010 and it launched the fourth phase of Pakistan FPP to minimize the impacts of such floods.
“In May 2017, we got approved the Programme from Council of Common Interest and duly signed by all the provinces and it was agreed that new infrastructure would be built under the programme”, the minister said.
The minister said it was also agreed that Rs 177 billion would be spent under the programme and the provinces would contribute half of the amount.
However, he said despite completing the final road map to spend Rs 177 billion under the programme, the coming PTI government dumped this programme and not spent a single rupee on it.
“If the government spent Rs 177 billion under the programme, the loss would be far less than what we were facing now, he added.
Ahsan Iqbal said a big challenge was ahead as 30 million people had been affected from devastating floods and the government had to help them achieve self-reliance,adding that the recent floods and torrential rains had destroyed around 1 million houses.
The minister said due to the current catastrophic situation in the country, Pakistan requires $10billion to overcome the situation that evolved after the flood.
Ahsan said that yesterday the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Board has approved $1.17 billion through the EFF program.
He said that Chairman PTI Imran Khan and former finance minister Shaukat Tarin performed shameful acts against national interests and an attempt to push the country into economic default.
The minister said that in the outer world only neighboring India and inside Pakistan only the PTI leadership has opposed the IMF program, adding that if the program was not approved yesterday the country would be facing several challenges including inflation and foreign reserves.
He highlighted that in leadership of Prime Minister, Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, the government was committed to reduce the expenses to allocate there resources for flood areas.
The minister said that the government has reviewed the Pakistan Development budget, and diverted these funds for flood rehabilitation and reconstruction.
Ahsan said that this was a big challenge and now we all are required to show unity and social solidarity to unite against this catastrophe.
He appeals to the business community and overseas Pakistanis to donate for the affected peoples.
ISLAMABAD, Aug 30 (APP): Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Tuesday said current flashfloods had affected around 33 million in the country and stressed joint efforts by the government, international community and thr United Nations’ donor agencies to overcome the enormous challenge.
At a joint press conference with United Nations Resident Coordinator Julien Harneis here at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the foreign minister said rescue, relief and rehabilitation activities were at full swing across the country.
Bilawal said following the initial assessment of the disaster, urgent steps were required by the world, the UN and the partner agencies to cope with the magnitude of the challenge.
He said Pakistan, this monsoon, received three times of the usual rainfall that resulted in floods affecting 23 districts of Sindh and 30 districts of Balochistna, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa and South Punjab.
He mentioned that there was a shortage of tents and food items to meet the demands of the flood-affected people and vowed to ensure transparency in disbursement of relief supply items.
He said drainage of water was a big challenge in the low-lying areas inundated with flood water, adding that evacuations were being made despite limited resources.
He said the support of international community would help Pakistan overcome the daunting challenge. He thanked the UN and its agencies in coordinating with the government of Pakistan in carrying out relief activities.
He also mentioned the gesture of exemplary generosity by Pakistani people and civil society in mobilizing relief work.
The foreign minister said there was a long-way ahead in effective mitigation of the flood relief and rescue.
To a question regarding the capacity to deal with the challenge, he said joint efforts at federal, provincial and international agencies’ levels would overcome the problem.
Bilawal recalled that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during his visit to Sindh had announced Rs 15 billion as grant. The amount, he said, would not be sufficient viz-a-viz the damage, however would complement the efforts of the provincial government.
Asked about lack of coordination among federal and provincial governments, Bilawal mentioned the efficacy of the data availability under Benazir Income Support System that helped in carrying out the relief activities.
The foreign minister said it was not the time of doing politics over the matter of floods. However, he pointed out that the flood-hit people in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa awaited repatriation, while the provincial government remained busy in catering to the helicopter flight of their leader Imran Khan.
He said the problem of current floods had compounded the issues pertaining to national economy that already faced the pressure of inflation.
Bilawal expressed confidence that the coalition government despite immense challenges would effectively deal with the challenges.
The UN Resident Coordinator, who had also visited the areas of Sindh and Balochistan, expressed concern over the displacement of hundreds of people and said the UN would provide assistance to the flood-affected people.
He said Pakistan could not overcome this challenge alone and called for the support of international community in this regard.
He said climate change contributed to ‘super floods’ in Pakistan and needed a proper strategy to sort out the issue.
Julien Harneis said the funds collected through international appeal would cover the issues of health and emergency services, and livestock vaccination.
He said the UN’s humanitarian response facilities would complement Pakistan’s national capacity to deal with the challenge.
He said the UN had initiated collaboration with the local authorities, including the dispensation of supplies amounting $3 billion for water and livestock vaccination in Lasbela, Balochistan.
The UN official said he had held meetings with the Chairman National Disaster Management Authority and the officials of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and added that the UN would respond if more assistance was needed.
He said the experts of the World Food Programme would be visiting the flood-hit area tomorrow to assess the requirements on-ground.
He mentioned that the UN’s central emergency relief programme was triggered following the floods in Pakistan.
On climate change, he said Pakistan’s voice had not been efficiently heard and further steps needed to be taken with regard to management of river system.
ISLAMABAD, Aug 30 (APP): Australian Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong on Tuesday said that Australia would provide $2 million to Pakistan in urgent humanitarian assistance in response to devastating floods.
“I extend Australia’s deepest sympathies and condolences to the families and communities that have lost loved ones, and those whose lives and livelihoods have been affected,” she said in a press statement.
The foreign minister further said that Australia’s support would be delivered through the World Food Programme to assist the Pakistan Government and its people to respond to immediate humanitarian needs, particularly those disproportionately affected by the floods, including women, children and the vulnerable.
Pakistan had declared a national emergency, with more than 33 million people affected by the disaster.
Tragically, more than 1,000 lives have been lost. A further 200,000 people have been displaced and at least 50,000 homes destroyed.
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