Web Desk (LTN NEWS): On Monday, humanitarian aid supplies from all over the world continued to arrive in the country. Even though the government and humanitarian groups are working to help flood victims right away, Dawn has learned that the UN needs $34.28 million right away to step up immediate relief efforts.
In the wake of a “catastrophe caused by climate change” that is expected to get worse, UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Pakistan Julien Harneis called for “sharing the load” and “solidarity.” She said that diseases and poor nutrition are likely to get worse after the floods.
The World Food Programme (WFP) is quickly increasing the amount of food aid it gives to Pakistan. The WFP wants to help almost 500,000 people in Balochistan and Sindh. It already helps almost 42,000 people in five districts of Balochistan. But distributions are on hold right now because of problems with connectivity.
The organization says it needs $34 million right away to step up relief efforts; Japan, Belgium, UAE, and Singapore say they will help.
The United Arab Emirates started an air bridge to help get shelter materials, food, and medical packages to Pakistan. APP said that the UAE authorities also talked to General Qamar Javed Bajwa, who is in charge of the army. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said, “UAE has promised to send 20 flights with flood relief equipment to help people in Pakistan who were affected by the floods.”
Global aid
Through the Japan International Cooperation Agency, Japan also decided to send emergency aid in the form of tents and plastic sheets. Today, emergency aid supplies should arrive at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi.
Also, the German Consul General Holger Ziegeler and the CEO of the Balochistan Rural Support Programme (BRSP), Dr. Shahnawaz Khan, signed a project in Karachi to help feed at least 1,000 families in Lasbela for two months.
Read More: International groups announce $500 million to aid flood victims
The envoy stressed the need to act quickly to help lessen the damage from the floods and said, “We are shocked by the terrible floods in Pakistan. It’s important to act quickly!”
In the same way, Belgium will send Pakistan 300 tents through B-FAST to house a total of 1800 people.
On the other hand, the Singapore Red Cross (SRC) will give $50,000 to help flood victims and the communities that have been hurt. The SRC will also ask the public to help raise money for relief and recovery efforts.
Red Cross and Red Crescent partners on the ground, such as the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, will get help from SRC’s donations. Right now, the PRCS is helping people in 23 of the most affected districts.
Pakistan Fund for Fighting Poverty
Since this season’s floods have affected more than 670,000 homes, the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) gave Rs250 million to the flood emergency relief program to help the nine worst-affected districts right away.
Read More: UN will send out a “Flash Appeal” for flood victims on August 30
The aid package includes temporary shelters, food ration packs, hygiene kits, water purification tablets, medical supplies, vaccines for animals, and other things that are needed.
In a similar way, the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) Emergency Flood Relief Cash Assistance Programme gave out Rs 8.88 billion to 353,119 flood-affected families. BISP said that families who have been hurt can get money by texting their CNIC number to 8171.
Business sector
In addition to the money for medical care, the PTCL Group announced an Rs1.75 billion package. The company has also decided to put together a group of volunteers to help with flood relief. The 13 doctors and 27 paramedical staff at the PTCL health centers will help people in eight districts across the country.
The package also includes donations to the PM’s relief fund and to non-governmental organizations (NGOs), as well as free phone calls in flood-affected areas, housing loans for people who had to leave their homes, and medical facilities. The management of PTCL also asked its employees and staff to give money to help those affected by the floods.
At the same time, Ufone said that people in flood-affected areas could call for free. The U.S. Microfinance Bank has promised to offer low-cost loans for homes.
