FROM THE U.N. Site - Created at 7/29/2010 3:46 PM by Amena Aly. Kamaal
Last modified at 7/29/2010 3:47 PM by Amena Aly. Kamaal
UNHCR sends relief items to flood-affected districts in Balochistan
The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, has dispatched the first consignment of relief items to assist people in the flood-affected districts of Balochistan. The supplies will be distributed by the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and district authorities in Quetta.
The first convoy consisting of 17 trucks, carrying 585 tents, 2700 plastic sheets, 1760 kitchen sets and 4000 plastic mats for the two most affected villages of Talli and Sultan Kot in Sibi District where, according to UN-Habitat, an estimated 2,030 houses have been completely destroyed in the torrential rains and consequent flooding.
“Our office is committed to helping the people of Balochistan in need and we want to convey to them that UNHCR is fully aware of the difficulties the people are going through. We would like to assure them that we will always be there for them, whenever need be,” said UNHCR Officer in Charge Mr. Bekele Negash.
The distribution of UNHCR’s supplies will be carried out and monitored jointly by the district authorities and the agency’s partner organisations present on ground. In addition to the provision of the non-food items, UNHCR together with the PDMA also provided transportation to carry the relief good to the affected areas.
UNHCR, upon the request of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), has pledged to provide 2,000 tents, 4,000 jerry cans, 2,700 plastic sheets, 2,200 kitchen sets and 4,000 plastic mats to the flood-affected areas in Balochistan. The second consignment of the remaining items, consist of 10 trucks are due to arrive in the affected villages in the next few days.
“The situation is constantly evolving and it is too early to assess damages caused by the floods, however, UNHCR will continue and expand its support to other affected areas as well,” assured Mr. Negash.