ISLAMABAD: The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) dispatched 873 tons of essential food supplies for Pakistan’s southwestern port city of Gwadar on Sunday, where heavy rainfall last month triggered floods that swept away several houses and damaged critical infrastructure.
Streets and neighborhoods in the deep-sea port city as well as Balochistan province’s Kharan and Kech districts were inundated with floodwater after heavy downpours, which began on Feb. 26, destroyed nearly a hundred homes and forced authorities to launch operations to rescue thousands of stranded citizens. At least five people were killed in various rain and snow-related incidents in the province, prompting Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to travel to the city this week to announce a compensation of up to Rs2 million for the victims.
“King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) has swiftly deployed an emergency relief convoy carrying 873 tons of essential food supplies,” a press release by the relief organization said.
“The convoy aims to address the urgent needs of the flood-affected population.”
KSrelief said it had dispatched 9,000 food packages which would sustain families for a month. Each package, which weighed 97kg, comprises food staples such as 80kg of flour, five liters of cooking oil, 5kg of sugar, 5kg of split chickpeas, and 2kg of dates, KSrelief said.
“These provisions will directly support flood victims residing in the Gwadar district of Baluchistan,” it said.
The Saudi humanitarian organization said it would collaborate with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Balochistan government to ensure the “efficient distribution” of food bags to over 63,000 individuals in need.
“In addition to food assistance, KSrelief is also providing 9,000 Shelter NFIs kits (315 tons), offering essential relief items including shelters, solar panels, blankets, plastic mats, kitchen sets, water coolers, and antibacterial soap,” it said.
KSrelief said the comprehensive support would extend aid to an additional 63,000 individuals, offering crucial relief amid the crisis.
“This initiative underscores the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to humanitarian efforts, as facilitated by the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center,” KSrelief said.
Speaking at a ceremony in Islamabad to dispatch the food items, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti thanked Saudi Arabia for coming to the aid of the flood-affected people in Gwadar.
“I want to thank all those people in this time of difficulty who took care of our brothers and helped the people of Balochistan,” Bugti told reporters. “The federal government has started paying compensation that it said it would to the people within one week.”
He said the new government in Balochistan would deal with the various challenges facing the province by offering people the best form of governance.
