Dhs367m relief projects launched in Pakistan

The UAE is carrying out various developmental projects in Pakistan at a cost of $100 million (Dhs367 million) to help provide a dignified life for people affected by the floods, said supervisor of the UAE Red Crescent Authority Muhammad Khalid Saeed. He made the announcement while talking to media after the inauguration of the flood relief collection camp at the Pakistan Association, Dubai. Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador of Pakistan to the UAE Jamil Ahmed Khan expressed gratitude to the UAE government for extending support. He said that the Pakistan expatriate community in the UAE is the second biggest community after Saudi Arabia and it is important that the community should rise to the occasion and reach out to their flood-affected brethren. He said that as per initial estimates by the UN, Pakistan is in dire need of more than $350 million immediately to carry out much needed mitigation, recovery and rehabilitation schemes in areas like food security, health, shelters, co-ordination and logistics. “The relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction of the rain-hit people are no doubt such challenges which require a joint international response since we need far more resources than we currently have,” he said. The ambassador said that the UAE teams distributed aid among people in the UAE relief camps in 14 villages in Sindh province. He said that currently six UAE charity organisations are operating in the flood-affected areas. Khan also said that the chairman of UAE Red Crescent Authority has assured him that the body would match the donations with those made by the Pakistani community living in UAE. He said that Pakistan Association Dubai, Pakistan Social Centres and Pakistani schools in various emirates are authorised by the embassy and the consulate to facilitate those who wish to make donations towards this humanitarian cause. Earlier, President of Pakistan Association Dubai Dr Ziaul Hasan said that the association was among the frontline contributors during the earthquake of 2005 and 2010 floods. He said that the association had constituted different teams that include doctors, volunteers and social workers for providing relief to the victims. He said that the association was planning to send two ambulances to the affected areas so that treatment could be provided to the affected people at their doorstep. He invited all the Pakistani organisations in the UAE to come forward and join hands for this noble cause. He assured that relief goods would be distributed among the victims without any discrimination of religion, caste, political affiliation or language. ( From The Gulf Today )