ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will send a second consignment of relief items for flood-hit Malaysia via a chartered plane today, Wednesday, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said, reaffirming Islamabad’s solidarity with the Southeast Asian country.
Torrential rains and flooding in Malaysia and Thailand since last week have killed at least 30 people and affected over 500,000 households, marking the worst flooding for the countries in decades. Last week, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar offered help to Malaysia as it struggled to evacuate and rehabilitate people reeling from the floods.
“In line with the prime minister’s directive, NDMA has arranged and coordinated the second consignment of 40 tons of relief assistance to the flood-affected areas of Malaysia,” the NDMA said.
“The chartered plane carrying essential supplies, including tents, blankets, quilts, mats, sleeping bags and life jackets, will depart tonight from Islamabad International Airport to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.”
This handout photograph shows Pakistan’s second consignment of relief items for flood-hit Malaysia ready to dispatch via a chartered plane at the Islamabad International Airport in Islamabad on November 11, 2024. (Photo courtesy: NDMA)
A send-off ceremony was held at the Islamabad International Airport on Wednesday which was attended by Federal Minister Amir Muqam, officials from the Malaysian embassy, Pakistan’s foreign ministry and NDMA representatives.
“The minister expressed sincere condolences for the loss of lives due to the floods in Malaysia and assured every possible assistance from the Government and people of Pakistan,” the NDMA added.
“He commended the dedicated efforts of NDMA teams and related officials for their swift mobilization of this relief initiative.”
This handout photograph shows Pakistan’s second consignment of relief items for flood-hit Malaysia ready to dispatch via a chartered plane at the Islamabad International Airport in Islamabad on November 11, 2024. (Photo courtesy: NDMA)
Malaysian embassy officials expressed gratitude on behalf of their government and people for the “timely and generous” assistance during the calamity, the NDMA said.
The NDMA said Pakistanis continue to pray for Malaysia’s swift recovery from the floods, reaffirming their commitment to provide further support if required.
Pakistan sent its first shipment of 40 tons of relief items to Malaysia on Dec. 8.
Pakistan is one of the worst affected countries due to climate change impact, suffering cataclysmic floods in 2022 that killed over 1,700 people and destroyed critical infrastructure inflicting losses worth Rs33 billion.
