ISLAMABAD: The Asian Deve­lopment Bank on Wednesday approved a grant of $3 million to support the relief and rehabilitation measures in the light of devastating floods in Pakistan as more international aid in the form of food and equipment, particularly from Turkiye and China, and the United Arab Emirates, arrived in the flood-hit country.

According to the state-run APP, as many as 16 consignments of relief goods and equipment were delivered. Turkiye sent aircraft laden with 600 family tents, 1,008 food boxes, 1,000 hygiene boxes, 395kg of baby food, 2,000 blankets, 432 cooking kits, 1,440 pillows, 1,296 mattresses, and 426,093 medical kits.

The UAE in five C-130 planes delivered 90,450 pounds of food items, including rice and lentils. It also sent tents and hygiene kits whereas China sent four Y-20 aircraft carrying 3,000 tents for the flood-hit people.

Aid-laden aircraft arrive from UAE, China, and Turkiye

ADB sends money

The $3m grant approved by the ADB is financed from theAsia Pacific Disaster Response Fund (APDRF) and it will help the government procure food supplies, tents, and other relief goods.

“ADB stands with the people of Pakistan during these difficult times,” said Director General for Central and West Asia Yevgeniy Zhukov. “We are committed to working with the government and other development partners to help Pakistan overcome the devastating impact of this natural disaster and provide immediate relief to affected families.”

Meanwhile, the Islamic Devel­opment Bank said it was ready to support the government in its efforts to address the negative impact of the floods.

Similarly, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) said that IFAD was ready to immediately adjust its activities in Pakistan to respond to the urgent needs of families affected by the floods. “We will also continue our long-standing work with local rural communities, building livelihoods, food security, and resilience to climate shocks,” said IFAD Country Director Hubert Boirard.

“While we are on the ground trying to find out more, damaged infrastructure and difficulties accessing affected areas are hampering efforts, particularly in Balochistan,” the statement added.

The World Meteorological Organ­isation (WMO) highlighted the importance of WMO’s drive to ensure universal access to early warnings which drive ‘Anticipatory Action’ through the UN Alerts for all initiatives and its integrated flood management and flash flood warning tools.

Furthermore, the Human Rights Watch (HRW) said the government has a human rights obligation to prevent foreseeable harm from climate change and extreme weather events.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2022