Nepal sends over 22 tonnes relief materials to flood-hit Pakistan

KATHMANDU: Nepal has dispatched more than 22 tonnes of humanitarian emergency relief materials to Pakistan which has been devastated by monsoon-induced flash floods and inundation recently.

The government was providing relief materials in view of the huge loss of lives and properties in the floods and inundation. The relief materials would be provided as per the decision of the Council of Ministers on September 6, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Nepal has also expressed tribute to those losing lives in the disaster, extended condolences to the bereaved family members, and wished speedy recovery to the injured ones.

The relief materials have been flown to Karachi of Pakistan on a wide-body 303 aircraft of the national flag-carrier Nepal Airlines Corporation.

Over 22 tonnes relief materials are being sent as assistance to Pakistan and the flood affected people there, spokesperson of the Ministry, Sewa Lamsal, said in a press conference held at the Tribhuvan International Airport.

According to her, the relief materials include essential medicines and other materials. Lamsal said this lot of relief materials is the biggest such assistance that the government has provided at any one time so far.

“The relief materials sent to Pakistan at present is the largest amount that the Government of Nepal has sent to any country so far,” she said. The Ministry stated that the coordination and management of the relief materials has been possible through the relentless efforts of Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Narayan Khadka.

Minister Khadka saw off the team leaving for Karachi along with the relief assistance at the airport.

A Nepali delegation led by spokesperson Lamsal has left for Karachi for handing over the relief materials. The delegation comprises of representatives of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, officials from the Department of Health Services and journalists.

The relief materials provided to Pakistan by Nepal include medicines, foodstuff, clothes and other essentials.
Spokesperson Lamsal said the relief consignment will be handed over to the related Pakistani officials amidst a programme at the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi today.RSS