Australia and France offer assistance in flood relief

Australian FM Kevin Rudd announced Rs512.56 million, while France has provided Rs90 million for the devastated region.

Australia and France have been assisting families affected by monsoon rains in Sindh for about a month now, said separate statements issued by the embassies of the two countries here on Monday.

The Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd announced Rs512.56 million, while France has provided Rs90 million for the devastated region.

“Many communities in Sindh are still struggling to recover from damage caused by last year’s floods,” said Rudd, “At least 240 people are known to have died and 5.4 million people have been affected by this year’s flooding.”

According to the latest reports, 270 deaths have been reported and more than 8.1 million people have been affected; 1.8 million people having been forced to leave their houses.

The Australian government will provide Rs213.57 million through NGOs, including Save the Children, Plan and Oxfam to over 167,000 flood-hit people. Rudd said the Australian NGOs have already distributed relief items such as food, water and sanitation support to more than 40,000 people.

“Australia is also providing specialists in communications and logistics to assist the WHO and UNICEF to deliver flood assistance,” he said.

France, through the Crisis Centre of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, flew 30 tons of relief goods at Karachi airport on Sunday.

The aid comprises shelters (tents, blankets, tarpaulins) for 700 families and two water purification plants. Other related material such as tanks, jerry cans, water purification tablets will be provided to 40,000 people daily (10 litres per person daily); the relief goods include 1.2 tons of medicines. The total aid brought by France amounts to Rs90 million.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 28^th, 2011.