Govt to decide on foreign aid after flood assessment
Government is set to prepare a rapid need assessment survey report with the UN.
ISLAMABAD:
Considering more rainfall has been forecast in flood-affected districts, while other areas have received unexpected showers, the government is set to prepare a rapid need assessment survey report with the UN and other collaborative partners to assess the magnitude of the disaster.
Chairman National Disaster Management Authority Zafar Iqbal Qadir will visit flood-stricken areas accompanied by a UN delegation to determine the extent of the destruction. Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Qadir said provincial governments have been trying to minister to the needs of the people since floods were forecast in August. “There are enough resources for the time being and the capacity to deal with the disaster. We will see to what extent we want the UN to intervene [after the field visit],” said the chairman. The government has been conducting high-level consultative meetings for the past two days to assess the situation.
He said that it has not been decided whether the government will make an international appeal for assistance. Once the financial impact has been assessed, the government will decide if it can manage on its own. The government has requested local donors to help procure and pack food parcels for flood survivors.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 8th, 2011.
Considering more rainfall has been forecast in flood-affected districts, while other areas have received unexpected showers, the government is set to prepare a rapid need assessment survey report with the UN and other collaborative partners to assess the magnitude of the disaster.
Chairman National Disaster Management Authority Zafar Iqbal Qadir will visit flood-stricken areas accompanied by a UN delegation to determine the extent of the destruction. Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, Qadir said provincial governments have been trying to minister to the needs of the people since floods were forecast in August. “There are enough resources for the time being and the capacity to deal with the disaster. We will see to what extent we want the UN to intervene [after the field visit],” said the chairman. The government has been conducting high-level consultative meetings for the past two days to assess the situation.
He said that it has not been decided whether the government will make an international appeal for assistance. Once the financial impact has been assessed, the government will decide if it can manage on its own. The government has requested local donors to help procure and pack food parcels for flood survivors.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 8th, 2011.