By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said on Tuesday that recent flash floods have affected roughly 33 million people in the country and emphasised the importance of collaboration among the government, foreign community, and United Nations donor agencies to face the great challenge.
During a joint press conference with UN Resident Coordinator Julien Harneis here at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the foreign minister stated that rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts were underway throughout the country.
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Following the initial assessment of the tragedy, Bilawal stated that the globe, the UN, and partner organisations needed to take immediate action to deal with the severity of the crisis.
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 stated that draining of water was a major difficulty in flood-inundated low-lying areas, and that evacuation were taking place despite limited resources.
He stated that the international community’s cooperation would assist Pakistan in overcoming the tremendous issue. He commended the UN and its organisations for coordinating relief efforts with the government of Pakistan.
He also mentioned the Pakistani people’s and civil society’s extraordinary compassion in mobilising humanitarian efforts.
The foreign minister stated that there was still a long way to go in terms of effective disaster relief and rescue.
In response to a question on the capacity to cope with the challenge, he stated that collaborative efforts at the federal, provincial, and international levels will solve the problem.
Bilawal recalled that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a Rs 15 billion grant during his visit to Sindh. The money, he said, would not be sufficient in light of the destruction, but would supplement the provincial government’s efforts.
When asked about the lack of cooperation between the federal and provincial administrations, Bilawal emphasised the need of data availability under the Benazir Income Support System in carrying out assistance initiatives.
The foreign minister stated that now was not the time to play politics over the floods. He did, however, point out that flood-affected people in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa were awaiting repatriation, while the provincial government was preoccupied with catering to their leader Imran Khan’s helicopter ride.
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 also visited Sindh and Balochistan, voiced worry about the displacement of hundreds of people and stated that the UN would assist flood victims.
He stated that Pakistan could not solve this difficulty on its alone and requested the international community’s assistance in this regard.
Climate change, he claimed, has contributed to “mega floods” in Pakistan and that a clear strategy was needed to address the problem.
According to Julien Harneis, the monies raised through the international appeal would go toward health and emergency services, as well as livestock immunisation.Govt
He stated that the United Nations’ humanitarian response facilities would supplement Pakistan’s own capabilities to deal with the crisis.Govt
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 stated that he had met with the Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and that the UN would respond if additional support was required.Govt
He stated that World Food Programme experts would be visiting the flood-affected area tomorrow to examine the needs on the ground.Govt
He stated that the UN’s core emergency relief programme was activated in response to the floods in Pakistan.Govt
On climate change, he stated that Pakistan’s opinion had not been effectively heard and that more actions needed to be made to manage the river system.Govt
