Flashfloods: Pakistan receives Chinese aid with thanks

Karachi: Pakistan has received the first two flights carrying relief goods from Iron Brother China here amid the flashfloods that have washed away life and property.

Another batch of relief goods will arrive today (Wednesday). The China Air Force will complete delivery of 3000 tents in these two days.

The flights on Tuesday afternoon were received by Federal Minister for Power Khurram Dastgir Khan and Saeed Ghani Provincial Minister of Labor, Sindh along with officials of Government of Pakistan and ambassador of China to Pakistan Nong Rong.

“We thank our Iron Brothers for this timely and valuable support in this time of unprecedented crisis,” said the Pakistani foreign ministry as the relief goods arrived.

At the site, Khurram Dastgir Khan thanked China for the generosity and spoke about the depth of Pakistan-China friendship. He mentioned that China had always stood behind Pakistan in the hour of need.

Chinese Ambassador Nong Rong said that China was sad over the damage to life and property due to the flooding. He reiterated that China valued its close ties with Pakistan.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang earlier sent messages to President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif respectively over severe floods hitting Pakistan, offering solidarity and support.

Consequently, China offered relief materials worth 100 million RMB (around US $ 14.5 million), including 25,000 tents and other relief materials.

The relief goods will include 25,000 tents and other disaster relief materials urgently needed by flood-hit Pakistan, said Zheng Yuandong, an official with the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA).

In a tweet, Pakistani Ambassador to China, Moinul Haque said that the Chinese government had announced a relief assistance package worth RMB 100 million for flood affectees in Pakistan.

“Indeed a generous and timely support from our ‘Iron brother’ in this hour of need. Thank you!,” he tweeted.

In another tweet, the ambassador acknowledged: “China has responded immediately, and will continue to provide urgently needed assistance to Pakistan and support the country in its disaster relief work. President Xi message of condolence to President Alvi for the flood victims.”

Separately, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian announced that in light of the situation on the ground and based on Pakistan’s needs, China will provide another batch of emergency humanitarian supplies including 25,000 tents to flood-hit Pakistan.

“China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners and true friends and good brothers sharing weal and woe. Since Pakistan was hit by the floods, our thoughts have been with the people in the affected areas. We feel deeply for the Pakistani side in this difficult time,” Zhao Lijian stated.

Under the social and livelihood cooperation framework of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), China has provided 4,000 tents, 50,000 blankets and 50,000 pieces of waterproof tarp to Pakistan, which have been delivered to the frontline of disaster relief, he noted.

Moreover, the Red Cross Society of China will provide USD 300,000 in emergency cash assistance to the Pakistan Red Crescent Society. While the All-Pakistan Chinese Enterprises’ Association (APCEA) has donated Pakistani Rs 15 million to the Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund.

Pakistan is in the midst of a humanitarian disaster after extreme flooding prompted by ‘monster monsoon’ rain this summer has led to a staggering number of casualties and damage, as well as stunning building collapses throughout the country.

The flooding, which has affected more than 33 million or roughly 15% of Pakistan’s population, has claimed the lives of at least 1,136 people and damaged countless homes since June.