Action ordered against relief goods thieves

Officials review relief activities in flood-ravaged Rajanpur district

RAJANPUR/ DERA GHAZI KHAN:

The Commissioner of Dera Ghazi Khan Division, Liaquat Ali Chatta, along with Deputy Commissioner Arif Rahim and other officers, visited the flood-affected areas of Rajanpur district to review the relief activities.

The commissioner, while talking to The Express Tribune, said that according to a preliminary report, until September 3, 425 schools, 16 hospitals, one college and 88 roads covering a length of 369 kilometers in Rajanpur were devastated by flood relays.

He said that crops spread over 318,423 acres and 28,646 houses were affected in the catastrophe. Besides, 12 people lost their lives while 3,192 people suffered injuries during floods in the district. One-hundred-and-sixty head of cattle were also killed by the flood, the commissioner added.

Liaquat Ali Chatta said that he had also visited the flood-affected areas of Fazilpur, Rojhan and Jampur and reviewed the relief activities there. He also met the flood victims and heard about the problems they had been facing.

The commissioner directed the departments concerned to complete the relief operation in the flood-affected areas as soon as possible and directed them to fully focus on the rehabilitation of the flood victims.

While talking about the relief and rehabilitation measures, the commissioner said that approximately 16,685 tents, 48,122 ration bags, 1,430 mats, 6,866 mineral water bottles and 2,000 mosquito nets were distributed among the flood victims in Rajanpur until September 3.

He said that 27 relief, 48 medical and 55 veterinary camps were set up in the flood-affected areas of Rajanpur. He said that 64 health teams had been providing assistance in the flood-affected areas.

In response to a query by The Express Tribune on the incidents of looting of trucks carrying relief items, the commissioner said that strict action had been ordered against such criminals and security provided to the people distributing relief goods. Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Secretary Kamran Ali Afzal arrived in the flood-affected areas to review the relief and rehabilitation operations.

The chief secretary, along with the Additional Chief Secretary, Shehryar Sultan, reviewed the relief and rehabilitation work in the flood-affected areas.

The chief secretary directed the officials to immediately provide mosquito nets and mosquito repellent lotion to the flood victims.

He directed the administration to extend full support and guidance to the welfare organizations and philanthropists distributing relief goods among the flood victims.

The chief secretary also inspected the counter set up at the Ghazi Ghat for the guidance of the philanthropists. He also directed the administration to ensure transparency in the distribution of relief goods. The chief secretary, along with the Boy Scouts, also distributed ration among the flood victims in Basti Zanglani.

The Deputy Commissioner of Dera Ghazi Khan, Anwar Baryar, briefed the chief secretary about the relief and rehabilitation activities in the area.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 5^th, 2022.