ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has delivered five trucks of humanitarian assistance for the victims of deadly floods in Pakistan’s Punjab, the province’s ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party said on Monday.
Floods in Pakistan’s breadbasket province of Punjab, exacerbated by heavy monsoon rains and excess water released by Indian rivers, have killed 60 and affected over 4.1 million people since late August. More than 4,330 areas have been affected by the deluges, as authorities evacuate thousands from high-risk areas in Punjab close to the swelling rivers.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz met Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Pakistan Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki on Monday, during which the Saudi envoy expressed condolences over the loss of lives due to the floods, the PML-N said in a statement.
“Five trucks carrying relief goods for flood victims in seven districts of Punjab from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center have arrived,” the PML-N said, adding that Malki handed over the trucks to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Punjab.
The statement said that the relief items included 10,000 shelter kits and 10,000 food packages. It said the KSrelief shelter kits contain tents, solar panels, LED lights, thermal blankets, plastic mats, durable kitchen sets, water coolers, and antibacterial soaps.
Meanwhile, each 95kg food package contains flour, sugar, chickpea lentils and cooking oil, the PML-N said.
The party said the relief items will be distributed among flood victims in Punjab’s Kasur, Jhang, Khanewal, Hafizabad, Chiniot, Multan and Toba Tek Singh areas. The distribution will be carried out through the joint efforts of the PDMA, KSrelief and Hayat Foundation.
“The relief assistance for flood victims reflects Saudi Arabia’s continued solidarity and brotherhood with Pakistan,” the PML-N said.
Nawaz paid tribute to Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
“We are grateful to Saudi Arabia for providing 10,000 food baskets and 10,000 shelter/camp kits,” Nawaz was quoted as saying by her party.
