ISLAMABAD: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will send 15 more planes carrying relief goods for displaced people in Pakistan’s flood-affected regions in the coming days, said a senior minister on Sunday, after international aid started trickling into the country.
The Pakistani authorities declared an emergency while urging the international community for help after monsoon rains and floods affected more than 30 million people in recent weeks.
The country received the first aid flights from the UAE and Turkey on Sunday, after the top leaders of the two states called Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and promised maximum assistance to Pakistan.
“Another 15 planes carrying relief goods from UAE will reach Pakistan in the next few days,” said information minister Marriyum Aurangzeb in a Twitter post.
According to details shared by the Pakistani authorities, the emergency relief aid sent by the Arab country includes about 3,000 tons of food items, besides tons of medical supplies and tents to shelter the displaced people.
The recent floods in Pakistan have put greater pressure on national economy which is already facing tough challenges.
Pakistan’s army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Saturday requested affluent citizens, overseas nationals and friendly countries for help while visiting flood-affected areas in the province of Sindh.
Given the magnitude of the crisis, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation also called on its member states last week to provide assistance to Pakistan.
