Pakistan dispatches 100 tons of humanitarian assistance to Nepal

At the direction of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan on Sunday dispatched 100 tons of humanitarian assistance to the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal to support relief efforts following the recent devastating floods and landslides.

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) coordinated the humanitarian assistance, which was sent by a chartered flight from Islamabad to Kathmandu. The relief consignment comprised tents, blankets, mats, hygiene kits and medicines for the affected communities.

A send-off ceremony was held at Islamabad International Airport, where Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry attended as chief guest, along with the ambassador of Nepal to Pakistan and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NDMA and other concerned organisations.

The assistance reflects Pakistan’s solidarity with the government and people of Nepal during this difficult time.

Nepal flash floods

The disaster struck on August 26 when a glacier on Nepal's Mount Langtang Lirung fractured at an altitude of about 5,200 meters (17,060 feet). The fracture triggered an ice-rock avalanche that developed into a massive debris flow and swept through valleys along the border.

Read: Nepal flood death toll hits 1,341 as expectant mothers struggle in shelters

Floodwaters and mudslides devastated Nepal's Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and Kavre districts, as well as the Kathmandu Valley. The disaster also buried the Gyirong border crossing in Xizang.

The combined death toll from flash floods and mudslides along the Nepal-China border rose to 1,372, while 5,531 people remained missing 11 days after the disaster struck, according to official data.

Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority said around 5,000 people, including 589 foreigners, remained missing.