Prime Minister Gilani said the flood-affected areas had been declared disaster hit. — Photo by Online

TANDO MOHAMMAD KHAN: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani Monday directed all federal and provincial authorities to immediately respond to the flood-affected areas of Sindh and assured payment of compensation after the damage assessment.

Prime Minister Gilani who was here on a day-long visit to witness the damages caused by heavy rains and flooding, directed the National Disaster Management Authority to provide tents, food, medicines and other facilities to the displaced at the relief camps set up at different locations.

He said 15,000 tents would be provided in the first phase to provide shelter to the people.

Prime Minister Gilani also directed National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) to provide Watan cards for the displaced people so as to help them meet their financial needs. He asked Ms Farzana Raja, Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) also to provide relief to the people under the programme.

Prime Minister Gilani also distributed relief goods amongst the flood-affected people and said the government would ensure swift relief for the masses.

He said he had seen the damages caused by the heavy rains and assured that the federal government was taking necessary measures to ensure that basic facilities were provided and their sufferings were mitigated.

He said the flood-affected areas had been declared disaster hit and the Zarai Taraqiati Bank had also been asked to provide loans to the farming community.

Prime Minister Gilani said the Damage-Need Assessment would be conducted in the area and the government would compensate the people on the damages to their property, livestock and farms.

Speaker National Assembly Fahmida Mirza, Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Minister for Water and Power Syed Naveed Qamar and Chairman Pakistan Baitul Maal Zamurrad Khan accompanied Prime Minister Gilani.