ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday thanked Saudi Arabia for its support and assistance in the aftermath of deadly floods that have killed over 1,600 people and left 33 million struggling to survive.

Pakistan has suffered under extremely heavy monsoon rains that started in mid-June. Multiple officials and experts have blamed the rains and resulting floodwaters on climate change.

International aid has poured into Pakistan since August, with Saudi Arabia establishing an air-bridge to deliver relief goods and launching the Sahem portal to receive donations from the Saudi public for flood affectees.

At least nine planes carrying Saudi humanitarian aid have arrived in Pakistan since last month.

“The Prime Minister thanked the leadership and people of the Kingdom for their strong expression of support for the flood victims in Pakistan, including provision of relief assistance through establishing an air bridge between the Kingdom and Pakistan,” the PM Office said in a statement after Sharif met the Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, who called on the premier in Islamabad.

“The Prime Minister also appreciated the important contribution of the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia in relief efforts, who personally visited flood-affected areas.”

The United States on Monday also boosted assistance to Pakistan’s flood relief efforts, announcing $10 million in aid, in addition to Washington’s already announced financial assistance of $56.1 million.

Pakistan has so far struggled to provide tents, food and other supplies for hundreds of thousands of people living in makeshift camps after being displaced by record-breaking floods. The United Nations has appealed for $160 million in emergency funding.