(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) The Embassy of Pakistan is engaged in relief efforts for the people affected by the massive floods back home according to Ambassador Asif Durrani.
Pakistan army troops use a boat to evacuate villagers from a suburb of Jhang district 260km northwest of Lahore in Pakistan on Wednesday. Hundreds of thousands of people fled flash floods on Wednesday after having been warned to evacuate. — AP
Talking to Khaleej Times about the devastating floods in Pakistan the ambassador said the embassy here is approaching Pakistani community members and different organisations to mobilise relief efforts.
“It is a massive disaster. It is one of the biggest floods ... witnessed in recent history. The damage caused by the flood is too high. From here we are assessing the damages and trying our best to extend and put our hands together ... (to) help ... those affected. The embassy is in touch with the community members and other organisation to provide relief assistance from here” said Durrani.
The ambassador said he is “personally involved” in approaching community members and other humanitarian organisations in the UAE for the relief assistance.
However Pakistani expats expressed dismay at the “little” that is being done here to help those affected. “Usually whenever there is a minor devastation in Pakistan we see all the people and community organisations joining hands to help those affected. But this time I see little involvement from here in the UAE” said Khurram Khan a taxi driver.
Another Pakistani expatriate Ali Jan a former community organisation office-bearer said: “The Pakistani community does not have a single social organisation in the UAE. We need social and community organisations in the UAE to gather support for these kind of efforts.
“We had the Pakistan Social Centres in Abu Dhabi and Al Ain; now both have been closed down because of political issues among the office-bearers. These centres were very helpful in such crises bringing the whole Pakistani community together. My appeal to the Embassy of Pakistan and the UAE authorities is to help re-open these community centres.”
Dr Feisal Ikram general secretary of Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) said efforts are on to mobilise relief efforts. “Before we embark on any fund raising activities we need to take permissions from the relevant authorities and we have already applied for this” he said.
“Once these are in place we will officially start a fund raising campaign” he said. However before foreign NGOs can be allowed to provide relief to those affected in Pakistan the country has to raise an international appeal.
Death toll from the floods in Punjab Pakistan’s worst-hit area has crossed 200.
nissarkhaleejtimes.com
asmaalizainkhaleejtimes.com
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.