Pakistan Navy conducts relief operations in flood-battered Sri Lanka
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy continued its humanitarian assistance and relief operations in Sri Lanka from its ship Zulfiquar which has been deployed there for the purpose.
Sri Lanka has experienced its worst flooding for the past 14 years, triggered by heavy rain on May 26. The calamity has claimed hundreds of lives besides marooning thousands of people in the country.
According to a message received here on Thursday, Pakistan Navy’s relief team set up three medical camps on May 31 across the severely affected districts of Horana, Malwana and Raxapana.
Over 350 patients and 60 children were provided with medical aid, drinks and eatables as part of the humanitarian assistance.
Two technical teams decontaminated 42 wells in the Kalutara area and restored water supply for local population.
Specialised diving teams reached far-flung locations through swampy patches to rescue stranded people in the high-tide areas of Angoda and delivered relief goods along the way.
The efforts of naval teams were commended by commander of Sri Lankan’s navy and secretary of divisional secretariat district in calls to the camps.
On Thursday, a medical camp was set up at Sampath Restaurant in Anguruvatota district as requested by the Sri Lankan Navy. Upon establishing the camp, the PN personnel distributed mineral water among the local population.
A large number of local people gathered at the PN medical camp with various diseases/injuries and were being treated.
A diving team, along with necessary gear and lifesaving equipment, is contributing in water transportation and is also involved in humanitarian assistance in the area.
Two technical teams have reached divisional secretariat Millania as requested by the Sri Lankan Army and decontaminated 16 wells.
Two medical teams are at appropriate alert onboard PNS Zulfiquar with requisite medicines and lifesaving equipment for subsequent deployment as required by the Sri Lankan Navy.
Pakistan High Commission in Sri Lanka is providing all support to officers and personnel of PNS Zulfiquar towards accomplishing their professional task in a well-coordinated way.
Published in Dawn, June 2nd, 2017