First UAE flight with 3,000 tons relief goods reaches Nur Khan Air Base

The first flight from United Arab Emirates (UAE), carrying over 3,000 tons of relief goods including tents, food, medicines and other items of basic needs reached Pakistan Air Force Base Nur Khan on Sunday. UAE Ambassador in Pakistan Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Al-zaabi handed over the relief goods to Minister for Planning Development and Reforms Prof Ahsan Iqbal at the Base. Meanwhile talking to media, Minister for Planning and Development said that international community has expressed solidarity with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and assured their full support for the relief and rehabilitation of the people, effected by flash floods.

He said that many other countries including Europe are being sending relief goods to Pakistan to strengthen government’s efforts of rescue, relief and rehabilitation, adding that a consignment carrying tents from friendly country China will also reaching soon, which would immediately to be provided to flood effected people.

The country was facing swear challenges due to devastating flash floods, he said adding that government in collaboration with international organizations and people would soon overcome this natural calamity and will use all resources for the rehabilitation of the people. The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to make all efforts for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of all houses and other basic infrastructure damaged due to floods and said the efforts would be continued till the rebuilding of the last house and enabling last effected people to stand its own feet.

Ahsan Iqbal said that provinces of Sindh and Balochistan were badly effected due to recent torrential rains and flash floods making devastation on a large scale as many links of roads, houses, bridges and railways infrastructure destroyed.