ISLAMABAD: Two shipments from the UN carrying emergency medical supplies and relief equipment for flood victims arrived at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport on Saturday.

The shipments contained 15.6 tonnes of cholera kits, water and multipurpose tents that can be used as medical tents, a press release issued by the WHO said.

The supplies were delivered to Pakistan with the support of the Dubai government and International Humanitarian City (IHC).

“We are currently working with the national authorities to ensure access to health care and medical supplies, mitigate the risk of disease outbreak ... and prepare for any worsening of the situation over the coming weeks,” said Dr Palitha Mahipala, WHO’s representative in Pakistan.

Ten trains to resume service next week

Donation from Turkey

Separately, the Turkish Red Crescent has also donated 200 tents, 1,900 blankets, 300 mattresses and other releif items. They were handed over to the officials of Red Crescent Pakistan at Taftan.

According to a spokesperson for Red Crescent Balochistan, two more trains carrying relief items would soon be sent by the Turkish Red Crescent to Pakistan.

Railway services to resume till Rohri

Meanwhile, 10 passenger train services will resume operations from Sept 15 as Pakistan Railways attempts to re-establish Sindh’s rail link with Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The train operation was suspended three weeks ago after floodwater submerged tracks in several areas. However, the services would be resumed only up to the Rohri railway station.

Railway authorities are unsure when the services to Karachi and Balochistan will resume and fear that it might take months.

The 10 trains include Khyber Mail from Peshawar to Rohri; Rehman Baba Express from Peshawar to Rohri; Karachi Express from Lahore to Rohri; Tezgam Express from Rawalpindi to Rohri; Greenline Express from Rawalpindi to Rohri; Allama Iqbal Express from Wazirabad to Rohri; Farid Express from Lahore to Rohri; Karakoram Express from Lahore to Rohri; Pak Business Express from Lahore to Rohri; and Jaffer Express from Peshawar to Rohri.

Ali Raza Rind in Taftan also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, September 11th, 2022