Germany announces Rs54.5m aid for flood victims

A man carries belonging on his shoulder while wading through receding flood waters in Nowshera. PHOTO: REUTERS

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Republic of Germany announced on Monday that it would provide Rs54.5 million in aid for flood victims in Pakistan.

According to a press statement issued by the German Embassy, Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle announced that the Federal Foreign Office will provide Rs54.5 million rupees for tents, blankets and potable water.

Further, Federal Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development Dirk Niebel announced an additional Rs54.5 million in emergency food aid for Pakistan, bringing total German immediate relief aid to Rs109 million.

2.5 million affected by heavy flooding: IRC

The International Red Cross said that up to 2.5 million people across Pakistan have been affected by heavy flooding brought on by torrential monsoon rains.

“According to official sources, flooding caused by torrential monsoon rains has killed more than 1,100 people in Pakistan and affected up to 2.5 million people across the country in the past week,” the International Committee of the Red Cross said.

“In the worst-affected areas, entire villages were washed away without warning by walls of flood water,” it said in a statement, noting that thousands of people “have lost everything.”

Punjab floods

The current water flow in River Indus broke a 110-year-old record as 40 villages were washed away in Taunsa affecting 100,000 people.

About 30 houses were demolished as a protective embankment in Nabi Shah village collapsed. Two people were killed as a result, while locals protested against the non-availability of relief activities in their area.

Protestors demanded that the Punjab chief minister should visit Taunsa and take action against those officers who are not providing relief to the affected citizens.

Around 50,000 people are trapped on the rooftops of their houses. Fifteen people are also reported to be missing.

Sindh braces for flood

Already 20 villages have been flooded near Mihaarja due to a dyke burst in Ghotki while 10 villages were inundated along River Indus in Sukkur, while residents of Kacha areas were asked to shift to relief camps within 24 hours.

The rise in water levels in Guddu and Sukkar barrages has put more pressure on the safety embankments, while the army and rangers are closely monitoring the situation.

The rangers are also monitoring the situation at the embankments. Residents living along the barrages have also been notified.

Meanwhile, heavy machinery has been deployed near River Indus. Stone pitching is also underway on the banks of the river. More than 20 centers have been set up at different sensitive locations.