Sindh govt promises 6-month welfare

KARACHI: The Sindh government can accommodate flood survivors in relief camps for up to six months, said Waqar Mehdi, special assistant to the chief minister on information at a press conference on Sunday.

According to Mehdi, 29,147 flood survivors have reached Karachi from the flood-affected areas so far. The government is doing all it can to help them, he added.

He said 23 relief camps have been established in different towns of the city. These camps still have room for around 5,000 more flood survivors, Mehdi said, adding that the government can accommodate another 100,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) if required.

The government wants to enable flood survivors to take charge of the situation as well and hopes to appoint people from the IDPs to oversee the distribution of ration and other camp problems. “We will pay Rs5,000 to each of them,” he said. Along with ration, pillows, fans, water coolers and mats are also being given to people in camps.

Medical facilities are also being provided to flood survivors in the city. Moreover, the government is also taking pains to provide education and vocational training to IDPs. Children in camps will be provided with sports facilities so that they can spend their time well, added Mehdi.

He appealed to flood survivors, who were not living with their relatives to come to camps and help the government by getting themselves registered. “With the help of the National Database and Registration Authority, we are issuing duplicate identify cards and IDP cards for their identification.”

A special train has been started from Larkana and Khairpur to transport flood-affected people to Karachi. “Besides this, the federal and provincial governments have decided to give Rs20,000 to each flood survivor for their financial help.”

Siddique Abu Bhai, adviser to CM and Roshan Shaikh, EDO revenue, Karachi were also present at the press conference.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 23^rd, 2010.