Saudi relief supplies rushed to Balochistan

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Sunday dispatched more relief supplies with assistance provided by Saudi Relief to the victims of the recent flood in Balochistan, a news release issued here said.

The relief items included tarpaulins, blankets and mosquito nets for 60,000 people. Moreover, 200 school tents were also part of the relief supplies along with 35 generators and 30 dewatering pumps. Some 1,000 ration bags provided by Saudi Relief had also been dispatched, the press release added.

Federal Minister of Health Qadir Patel on Saturday said that Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif was paying special attention to the rehabilitation of the flood victims of Balochistan and it was close to our heart and the Centre stands with people of the province in every difficult hour.

Earlier on Saturday, Provincial Director General Health Dr Noor Muhammad Qazi said that cases of cholera, diarrhoea, skin and gastro-enteritis had surfaced in Balochistan due to the flood disaster. He added that six people died of cholera in Dera Bugti, however, the situation was under control now.

Dr Qazi gave a briefing to Health Minister Qadir Patel, during his visit to the flood-stricken Lasbela district. “More than 10,000 flood victims have been treated in the medical camps in Lasbela,” the DG health said.

Dr Qazi revealed that 258,459 people from 15 union councils of Belah Tehsil were affected by the flood. “With the support of the medical teams of the Pakistan Army, the teams of the Health Department are also performing the duties of emergency rescue operation,” he added.

The minister expressed satisfaction over the measures taken by the provincial government for the flood victims. He assured that special attention was being paid to the rehabilitation of flood victims and all possible support would be provided for the relief and rehabilitation of the victims.