Rs100b flood package launched

CM offers victims free transport for accessing relief

OKARA:

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced a package worth Rs100 billion for rehabilitation of flood victims across the province.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of the Flood Victims Rehabilitation Programme, she said that free transport would be provided to facilitate flood victims in accessing relief funds across Punjab.

She emphasised that the allocation is exclusively for flood victims and will not be diverted elsewhere. She added that the Punjab treasury is a trust of the people and would be spent on them alone.

She said a transparent and self-funded rescue and relief operation had been launched without seeking international aid. She said the Punjab government, including herself and her cabinet, had remained with flood-affected families for several weeks during the crisis. She noted that over 1,700 teams comprising personnel from the army, revenue, livestock and agriculture departments had been conducting door-to-door surveys, with over 70 per cent of the work completed.

The chief minister said relief disbursements had begun even before the flood surveys' completion.

She noted, "When disaster struck, I didn't stay home or in the office for even a single day." She outlined,"We considered flood victims as our guests and served them as such."

She said 2.5 million people had been relocated to safe areas, over 1.2 million had received medical treatment through 100 field hospitals and livestock vaccinations carried out across flood-affected zones.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz stressed that corruption in the flood relief distribution would not be tolerated. A system has been established to ensure that only verified flood-affected individuals receive financial and other assistance.

She added that flood relief camps had been established at 75 locations, offering food, shelter and assistance to the victims. More than 71,000 bank accounts were opened for direct disbursement of funds to victims.

She highlighted that the first phase of the rehabilitation programme covers 15 districts, with relief being already delivered to flood victims.

The chief minister said electric buses were being introduced in various cities in the province with fare as low as Rs20, reflecting inclusive development and progress across Punjab.

She affirmed that no flood camp would be closed until the last flood victim receives entitled aid. She stated,"The loss suffered by each flood-affected family is being compensated. I made a promise to rebuild their lives, and today I'm fulfilling that promise." She said, "Whether big cities or small towns, every area of Punjab deserves equal resources and opportunities."

She added, "I am happier than flood victims themselves on seeing relief goods being provided to them without any discrimination across Punjab."

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz launched the flood rehabilitation programme by visiting the flood-hit area of Depalpur and distributing Rs50,000 in cash assistance along with ATM cards to every affected family. According to a statement, Rs960 million was disbursed to 500 flood victims in a day in Tehsil Depalpur.

The chief minister assured flood victims of expediting their home reconstruction process and enquired about their losses and the ongoing survey.

The chief minister was given a detailed briefing by the authorities concerned in Okara, in which it was revealed that 73% of the damage assessment survey has been completed, with the full completion expected in coming weeks.

The ATM cards allow withdrawals of up to Rs300,000 within 24 hours.