Govt decides to reach out to friendly countries, donors as floods hit 33mln people: PM

ISLAMABAD, Aug 26 (NNI): The diplomatic corps of different countries in Islamabad have assured Pakistan of their respective Governments’ continued support to meet the requirements of the rescue and relief operations across Pakistan.
The assurance was expressed during a meeting of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif with Ambassadors, High Commissioners and other senior members of the diplomatic corps in Islamabad on Friday to discuss the ongoing disastrous situation in the country due to floods.
Highlighting the unprecedented damage and devastation caused by current rain spell, the Prime Minister mentioned that not just Balochistan, Sindh and South Punjab, the torrential rains also led to flooding in the northern regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
He said over 900 people including 300 children lost their lives and 1300 others were injured so far while 33 million people have been badly affected by these flash floods and torrential rains.
The Prime Minister said that as per the initial damage assessment, the losses caused by floods were comparable to those, Pakistan suffered during the flash floods of 2010-11.
Expressing the government’s firm resolve to build back the flood-affected areas with the support of international community, Shehbaz Sharif said that Federal and Provincial Governments have been directed to provide people with tents, drinking water, mosquito nets, food items, medicines and other essential items.
He noted with concern that Pakistan’s carbon emission footprint is negligible but it is 8th among the countries, most vulnerable to the catastrophic impacts of climate change.
He emphasized the need for rehabilitation and reconstruction of climate resilient infrastructure in Pakistan with the help of the international community.
The Prime Minister said due to urgency of situation caused due to floods, the government is reaching out to the friendly countries, donors and international financial institutions for their cooperation at this difficult time.
The Foreign Office would also launch a UN Flash Appeal on 30 August.
The National Disaster Management Authority and the Economic Affairs Division gave briefings about the current status of rescue and relief efforts in flood hit areas as well as the need for immediate assistance.
Speaking on the occasion, the foreign diplomats expressed condolences and sympathies to the people and government of Pakistan over the loss of precious lives and damage to infrastructure in the floods.
The meeting was attended by Ambassadors and High Commissioners of Australia, Canada, China, Japan, Kuwait, UAE, Turkiye, South Korea, the United States, Germany and senior diplomats of Bahrain, European Union, France, Oman, Qatar, UK, and Saudi Arabia. NNI