ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has started distributing thousands of food packages and non-food shelter kits among families in Punjab’s districts hit hardest by the recent floods, state media reported on Sunday as Pakistan reels from catastrophic deluges. 

Floods in Pakistan’s eastern Punjab province have killed around 104 people since late August, affected more than 4.5 million people and forced the provincial government to evacuate over 2.5 million people. Over 4,000 areas in Punjab have been inundated by floodwaters as heavy monsoon rains and excess water released by dams from India caused rivers in the province to swell. 

Last week, KSrelief handed over five trucks of 10,000 shelter kits and 10,000 food packages to the government of Punjab for those affected by the floods. 

“Distributions have already begun in some of the hardest-hit districts, including Kasur, Multan, Muzaffargarh, Rahim Yar Khan, Rajanpur, and Bahawalnagar, where thousands of vulnerable families are receiving food packages and shelter kits,” state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.

The report said each shelter kit contains a tent, solar panels with LED lights, two thermal blankets, plastic mats, a durable kitchen set, a water cooler, and antibacterial soap. While each food package, weighing 95 kilograms, includes wheat flour, sugar, lentils, and cooking oil, designed to address the immediate nutritional needs of flood-affected households.

The state broadcaster said the distribution is being carried out by the National Disaster Management Authority, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority, local administrations, and KSrelief’s implementing partner, Hayat Foundation.

“This initiative reflects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s continued commitment, through KSrelief, to extend humanitarian support to the people of Pakistan,” the report said. 

KSrelief is one of the largest humanitarian organizations in the world which has implemented numerous projects in Pakistan. These projects focus on food security, health care, shelter, education, and disaster response, further strengthening the bonds of friendship and brotherhood between the two nations.