Ahsan lauds NDMA for swift relief, stresses mobile medical teams for quake-hit countries
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Dr Ahsan Iqbal on Sunday appreciated the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for quick relief and stressed on arranging mobile medical teams along with essential medicines for earthquake-hit countries.
Dr. Ahsan Iqbal chaired the meeting through video link, while NDMA Chairman Lieutenant General Inam Haider Malik and Turkish Ambassador Mehmet Pacaci joined the session, a news release said.
The NDMA held a special session of the National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) to review the humanitarian aid package for earthquake-hit Turkey and Syria.
The session was attended by Ambassador of Pakistan in Turkey Dr. Yousaf Junaid, Ambassador of Pakistan to Syria DG NLC, Air Marshal (R) Shahid Akhter and representatives of Ministry of Health Services, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Pakistan Navy and PDMAs.
The minister said a fundraising campaign has also been launched in educational institutions across the country to collect funds for victims of the earthquakes. The action was launched in schools, colleges and universities in response to the prime minister’s call.
The chairman of the NDMA informed that the authority arranged and dispatched 162 tons and 9 tons of relief goods to Turkey and Syria respectively, while relief shipment of 447 tons was jointly sent by NLC trucks to both countries.
This shipment contains large family size winter tents and blankets according to current earthquake needs. In addition, the deputed Pakistan Army USAR team and Rescue 1122 team undertook several rescue operations in Turkey.
The Chairman of the NDMA informed that consignment of 195 tonnes consisting of double layer tents and procurement of 1600 tonnes of food bags are under the process which will be dispatched by NLC trucks and Pak Navy ships to both countries in the coming days.
He emphasized that the NDMA is also coordinating additional rescue and medical teams for Syria and Turkey. He said that the NDMA has notified 13 collection points for donations across the country for earthquake affected people.
The Turkish ambassador thanked the people and government of Pakistan for spearheading relief efforts with the highest priority. The ambassador also expressed the request from the Turkish side to send additional humanitarian aid in the form of insulated tents, solar batteries and generators.
The DG NLC provided information on road logistics arrangements for relief supplies to Syria and Turkey. DG PDMA Punjab informed that PDMA has collected 7986 blankets and 221 food bags through public mobilization which will be handed over to NDMA.
During the meeting, Ambassador of Pakistan in Turkey Dr. Yousaf Junaid and Ambassador of Pakistan to Syria Air Marshal (R) Shahid Akhter briefed the meeting about the current situation and ongoing rescue operations in their respective countries.
