Canadian High Commissioner Ross Hynes inaugurated the Chail Shagai Bridge in Swat District on Monday. It is one of 24 bridges Canada is helping build to restore communications links for communities affected by the 2010 floods, said a press release issued by the Canadian High Commission.
In an inauguration ceremony hosted by VII Brigade Commander Brigadier Muhammad Tariq, High Commissioner Hynes met with local residents who had witnessed the collapse of the old bridge and saluted the resilience of the Pakistani people in the face of recent disasters. The ambassador also praised the National Disaster Management Authority, the Pakistan Army and local authorities for playing their parts during flood relief.
The Pakistan Army installed the new Chail Shagai Bridge, which will be used by 9,000 locals.
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada has provided CAD $6 million (Rs522 million) for the construction of 24 bridges in the flood affected areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. Canadian officials and the Pakistan Army are collaborating to identify sites for their construction.
According to the press release, Canada has provided $315 million in humanitarian and reconstruction assistance in response to the 2005 earthquake, internally displaced persons (IDPs) crisis in Northwest-Pakistan and the recent floods.
The Government of Canada provided $80 million in assistance to flood-affected peoples following the 2010 flood, while Canadians contributed private donations of over $47 million.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 1st, 2011.
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Hope some day we will be able to extend same kind of help to other countries in their hour of need. Many thanks to Canadadians for such help that will go a long way.
Thank you Canada, Wish our media could highlight the selfless role some countries are playing in helping us during hours of need. TV anchors should spare some time from their tireless shows about politics to also tell our people about these countries and their contribution. Who are true friends of us helping us rebuild our country and also donating during hour of need whether its Canada, Japan, Britain, USA or many other countries. We should also admit that although they have helped us always we have never in return.
From far and wide, oh Canada, we stand on guard for thee!