This is a time to stand together: Ahmad
As floods triggered by historic monsoon rains wreak havoc across the country, the United Kingdom has announced that it will provide up to £1.5 million for relief efforts.
“The UK is providing urgent support to Pakistan after flooding in the south of the country killed at least 900 people. Extreme monsoon rainfall has affected millions, with at least 700,000 homes destroyed,” the UK government said in a statement on Saturday.
It said that the UN is carrying out a needs assessment over the weekend, and a UN appeal is expected to be launched on Tuesday.
The statement said that the UK also provides assistance to Pakistan through international organisations working directly with the victims of the disaster, including the World Bank and the United Nations.
Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for South and Central Asia, North Africa, UN and the Commonwealth and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, said: “The floods in Pakistan have devastated local communities and the UK is providing up to £1.5 million to help the immediate aftermath. We are witnessing the catastrophe that climate change can cause and how it impacts the most vulnerable.”
“My thoughts and prayers are with all the victims and their families, and I would like to pay tribute to everyone involved in the relief efforts. We are also working directly with the Pakistan authorities to establish what further assistance and support they require. The UK stands with the people of Pakistan during this time of need,” he added.
According to the statement, the £1.5 million of humanitarian funding is an allocation from existing support to Pakistan and will go to the relief efforts in the areas worst-hit by the flooding.
During the 2020 floods in Pakistan, the UK announced a £800,000 aid package through the National Disaster Consortium and provided immediate relief in rural Sindh where many had lost their homes.
It also provided life-saving clean water, sanitation, and shelter to over 55,000 vulnerable people in Pakistan to help them recover from the devastating floods.
