ISLAMABAD: Four PAF aircraft carrying rescue and relief assistance for Nepal will leave for the earthquake-devastated country on Sunday.

“Four C-130 aircraft carrying a 30-bed hospital, special search and rescue teams and relief items will be dispatched to Nepal tomorrow,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Saturday.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had offered the humanitarian assistance in telephonic conversation with his Nepalese counterpart Sushil Koirala following the midday earthquake that left at least 1,200 people dead in the Himalayan country.

Mr Sharif had called the Nepalese premier from London, where he has gone for participating in the commemoration of the centenary of Gallipoli campaign and Anzac Day. Mr Koirala, meanwhile, was on a visit to Bangkok.

Mr Sharif during the call inquired about the kind of relief assistance that Nepal urgently needed. The Nepalese prime minister had sought medical support.

According to the PM Office, four Pakistan Air Force aircraft were ready to leave for the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu as soon as the airport there was ready to receive the flights.

Read: Disastrous earthquake in Nepal kills more than 1200, infrastructure collapses

The 30-bed hospital comprises a team of Pakis­tan Army specialist doctors, including surgical, medical, orthopaedic, gynaecologist, anaesthesiologist, child specialist, radiologist and paramedics.

An urban search and rescue team of Pakistan Army which is highly specialised for rescue during natural disasters is also being sent.

The search and rescue team is equipped with ground penetrating radars and concrete cutter. The team is specially trained to search people trapped in rubble.

Food items being dispatched include ready-to-eat meal packs, eatables, water bottles, medicines, tents, blankets and other necessary items, the ISPR said.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2015

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