Islamabad: Pakistan has dispatched 100 tonnes of humanitarian assistance to Nepal to support relief operations following devastating floods and landslides that have killed more than 1,300 people in Nepal and left thousands missing.
The relief consignment, coordinated by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), was transported from Islamabad to Kathmandu on a chartered flight, according to Pakistan’s Foreign Office.
The assistance includes tents, blankets, mats, hygiene kits and medicines intended to support communities affected by the disaster.
A send off ceremony at Islamabad airport was attended by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Nepal’s Ambassador Rita Dhital and senior officials from the Foreign Office and the National Disaster Management Authority.
The Foreign Office said the assistance reflected Pakistan’s solidarity with the government and people of Nepal during a difficult period.
Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Foreign Minister (FM) Ishaq Dar also expressed support for those affected by the disaster, saying Pakistan remained ready to provide further assistance.
Meanwhile, rescue operations in Nepal have entered their 12th day, with difficult weather, damaged infrastructure and poor connectivity continuing to hamper efforts.
Rescuers have recovered more than 1,300 bodies in Nepal, while thousands of people remain missing. Four survivors have also been found in recent days, including three people rescued from hydropower tunnels.
At least 12 hydropower projects have been affected, while roads, bridges and other infrastructure have been damaged or destroyed. Efforts are continuing to restore electricity in affected areas, including through solar power where conventional access remains difficult.
The United Nations (UN) has appealed for $50 million to support more than 84,000 people affected by the disaster and described the scale of destruction as a major challenge for humanitarian operations.
The disaster has also created difficulties in identifying victims, with hundreds of bodies buried after DNA samples were collected for later identification.
Nepal is due to observe a national day of mourning as rescue and recovery efforts continue. The scale of the destruction has placed immediate relief and longer term reconstruction among the country’s key priorities.
