It is important for me to help people who lost everything because of the floods to get back on their feet: Aisamul Haq.—File photo

ISLAMABAD: Pop singer Hadiqa Kiani and tennis player Aisamul Haq Qureshi have been appointed ‘Goodwill Ambassadors’ for Pakistan’s early recovery effort from the unprecedented floods.

The two stars will use their celebrity status and broad appeal to help the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) raise the profile of needs of more than 20 million people starting to rebuild their lives after the floods that have devastated the country since July, a UNDP press release says.

Hadiqa and Aisam will deliver messages of support for early recovery efforts as UNDP mounts efforts in 39 of the worst affected areas of the country to restore livelihoods through job creation, repair of basic community infrastructure and strengthening of local government offices to get public services running again.

“UNDP is helping communities affected by the floods rebuild their lives and I am proud to add my personal commitment to these efforts,” said Hadiqa, who has already helped UNDP raise awareness of environmental issues through her songs.

“It is important for me to help people who lost everything because of the floods to get back on their feet,” said Aisam. “I am honoured to become a Goodwill Ambassador for the UNDP in Pakistan.”

“UNDP is very pleased that Hadiqa and Aisamul Haq have come on board as our first national goodwill ambassadors in Pakistan,” said UNDP Country Director Toshihiro Tanaka.

Opinion

Editorial

IMF’s unease
Updated 24 May, 2024

IMF’s unease

It is clear that the next phase of economic stabilisation will be very tough for most of the population.
Belated recognition
24 May, 2024

Belated recognition

WITH Wednesday’s announcement by three European states that they intend to recognise Palestine as a state later...
App for GBV survivors
24 May, 2024

App for GBV survivors

GENDER-based violence is caught between two worlds: one sees it as a crime, the other as ‘convention’. The ...
Energy inflation
Updated 23 May, 2024

Energy inflation

The widening gap between the haves and have-nots is already tearing apart Pakistan’s social fabric.
Culture of violence
23 May, 2024

Culture of violence

WHILE political differences are part of the democratic process, there can be no justification for such disagreements...
Flooding threats
23 May, 2024

Flooding threats

WITH temperatures in GB and KP forecasted to be four to six degrees higher than normal this week, the threat of...