Japan hands over emergency relief goods to Pakistan,
A special United Arab Emirates plane carrying flood relief materials reached Lahore,
On the instructions of Chief Minister Punjab Chaudhry Parvez Elahi, Minister of Industry and Housing Aslam Iqbal received the relief goods from the United Arab Emirates at the airport.
Rashid Al Ali, Charge d’Affaires of the United Arab Emirates Embassy, handed over the relief goods s to the provincial minister.
“We are grateful to the United Arab Emirates for sending relief materials to the flood survivors of Punjab,” the minister said, adding that the United Arab Emirates stood by Pakistan in every hour of difficulty.
He conveyed the chief minister’s message expressing gratitude to the UAE for showing solidarity and support to the United Arab Emirates and the relief goods will be reached to the flood survivors at the earliest.
The provincial minister informed the UAE charge d’affaires and visiting delegates about the ongoing relief activities in Punjab.
It is our duty to help the Pakistani flood victims and brothers and sisters in this difficult time, Rashid Al Ali said.
First Secretary Juma Al-Kaabi, Second Secretary Ahmad Al-Muhassan, Third Secretary Hussain Al-Balushi and other officials concerned were present on the occasion.
Meanwhile Japan has handed over emergency relief goods comprising on tents and plastic sheets to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) at the Jinnah International Airport Karachi the other day.
Chief Representative of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Pakistan Office Kinoshita Yasumitsu and Consul-General of Japan in Karachi Odagiri Toshio were present on the occasion, said a press release issued on Sunday.
On August 29, Japan decided to provide these goods through JICA, based on a request from Pakistan. The first batch of the goods which was handed over earlier on August 31, were distributed in Balochistan.
Odagiri said Japan was deeply saddened by the widespread damage in Pakistan caused by the unprecedented flooding, which has surpassed even the devastating floods of 2010 and hoped that these goods would help to the victims. In addition, he mentioned that there was a high demand for food, water, and medicine in the affected areas, and the United Nations had issued an appeal for assistances. Therefore, Japan would continue to work closely with Pakistan, and the Japanese Embassy, Consulate-General, and JICA would cooperate with each other to respond to the situation, he added.
Kinoshita expressed his sincere condolences to the grieving families who have lost precious lives and their loved ones. He said, “Japan has also experienced various disasters in the past. The entire JICA family is with you in this most difficult time. JICA has decades old partnership with Pakistan in disaster management,” he added.
He said with the partnership of JICA, Pakistan prepared its first-ever disaster management plan in year 2012, which currently is in the process of revision for next 10 years.
He said JICA was committed to support relief, recovery, and rehabilitation effort of Pakistan with the motto of ‘Build Back Better’. He also mentioned his heartfelt respect to the dedication and contribution of the NDMA to overcome this catastrophe.
Representative of NDMA Muhammad Muazzam Zaman explained the situation in various areas affected by the disaster and the ongoing relief efforts by the Pakistani government, and said they were grateful for Japan’s assistance and would make sure that the supplies would be delivered to the victims.
