ISLAMABAD:As part of the United Kingdom’s aid package, relief items worth £2 million for the most vulnerable people affected by the devastating floods arrived in Pakistan from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Tuesday.
The relief items contained emergency shelters, including coverage and fixing kits, poles, and peg sets, a UK Embassy press release here on Wednesday said.
The UK would also provide water filters and hygiene supplies for 32,495 people to mitigate health risks. The first shipment of 19 containers arrived at the Karachi port on Tuesday with another 26 scheduled to follow in the coming days and weeks.
To date, the UK has committed a total of £16.5m to support the flood relief efforts and the British public have donated over £25m via the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Pakistan Appeal. This appeal has notably been supported by the England men’s cricket team, who are currently touring Pakistan for the T20s, making a personal donation, which was then matched by the England Cricket Board.
Earlier this month, a UK Royal Air Force flight delivered eight boats and 10 portable generators gifted in kind by the UK’s Ministry of Defence for use in the flood relief operations. Meanwhile, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic are also offering free relief shipments in their cargo.
British Deputy High Commissioner, Karachi, Sarah Mooney, said: “The UK aid shipment is the first of multiple consignments addressing the immediate needs of the people of Pakistan affected by the devastating floods. The UK will continue to provide assistance both in cash and in kind to ensure that communities not only rebuild but are also resilient to future calamities.”