26 flood-hit families get homes in Chiniot

Governor terms rehabilitation collective responsibility of govt, welfare organisations and society

CHINIOT:

Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider has said rehabilitation of people affected by natural disasters is a collective responsibility of the government, welfare organisations and society.

Addressing a ceremony near Sadeed Jani Shah on the outskirts of Chiniot on Tuesday, he appreciated the Pakistan Red Crescent for its humanitarian services and said keys to 26 newly constructed houses were being handed over to flood-affected families, with efforts continuing to provide permanent shelter to more deserving families.

The ceremony was attended by Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Central Punjab General Secretary Syed Hassan Murtaza, the Pakistan Red Crescent secretary and other officials of the organisation, local political and social figures, elected representatives and a large number of flood-affected families.

The governor said the PPP leader had effectively highlighted the problems of flood victims and requested Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to facilitate construction of at least 100 houses for affected families in the area and the handing over of keys to 26 houses was an outcome of those efforts.

Governor Sardar Saleem Haider paid tribute to Pakistan Red Crescent Chairman Mian Hanif and the entire team for their humanitarian services. He said the organisation was also extending assistance to disaster-hit communities in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Balochistan. Highlighting its relief operation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, he said Red Crescent teams had remained in affected areas for two months, providing food, tents and other essential items. He said the spirit of serving humanity was the institution's real identity and urged governments and organisations with adequate resources to focus on providing permanent shelter to poor and homeless families.

Referring to the PPP founder Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's slogan of food, clothing and housing, the governor said the party had always focused on the welfare of the poor, employment opportunities and provision of basic facilities.

Hassan Murtaza termed provision of dignified housing to flood victims an important humanitarian service and pledged that the rehabilitation and welfare initiatives would continue.