Pakistan sends relief to Nepal

Relief goods, including medicines, tents and blankets, as well as doctors and nurses, have been sent to Kathmandu

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan has dispatched medical teams comprising doctors and paramedics along with relief goods to Nepal that was hit by a devastating earthquake on Saturday, leaving nearly 2,500 people dead and scores injured.

“In line with the prime minister's directive, two Pakistani C-130 aircraft landed at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu Sunday morning,” a statement issued by the Foreign Office said on Sunday.

Two more C-130 aircraft with relief assistance are due to arrive in Kathmandu on Monday, it added.

The planes were carrying medical team of doctors and paramedics, 30-bed hospital, medicines, tents, water, dry food, search and rescue team with equipment, the statement noted.

It added that the ministry of foreign affairs, Pakistan Army, Pakistan Air Force, National Disaster Management Authority of Pakistan, the embassies of Pakistan in Kathmandu and Nepal in Islamabad and the Nepalese authorities were collaborating in this regard.

The ambassador of Pakistan and other embassy officials were present at the airport to facilitate and extend logistical support to the Pakistan relief assistance team.

Besides making efforts for the relief assistance to the Nepal government, the mission also reached out to the Pakistani expatriates to extend them necessary support.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday made a phone call to his Nepalese counterpart Sushil Koirala and extended his condolences on the deadly earthquake and also assured all possible help.

“The people and the government of Pakistan extend their heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the people and the government of Nepal,” the premier was quoted as saying in the official handout.

Relief goods, including medicines, tents and blankets, as well as doctors and nurses, were being sent to Kathmandu on PM Nawaz’s directives, it added.

He was constantly in touch with authorities in Pakistan regarding the situation in Nepal.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 27^th, 2015.