UAE leads humanitarian aid to flood victims in Pakistan

Next week, nine more flight rotations are planned to send more relief on behalf of international humanitarian city partners, including the World Food Programme, the World Health Organization and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

So far, at least 40 humanitarian flights have arrived in Pakistan, carrying tons of much-needed relief supplies, including food, tents and medical supplies, to support vulnerable families affected by the floods, officials said.

UAE, Turkey and China lead humanitarian efforts with 31 flights.

In addition to the 16 classes of relief supplies from the UAE, Pakistan also received 11 classes from Turkey, 4 classes from China, 3 classes from Qatar, 2 classes from UNHCR, 1 class each from Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, France and UNICEF.

Aid flights are helping strengthen the ongoing response to the country’s devastating floods.

Catastrophic floods have affected more than 33 million people since mid-June, killing at least 1,314 people, including 458 children, with more than 6.4 million people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance in Pakistan.

Aid flights from the UAE delivered much-needed food, medical supplies and tents to the affected areas.

The 15th flight landed at Islamabad Airport on September 4, ensuring continued relief operations under the humanitarian air bridge established between Pakistan and the UAE.

“Pakistan thanks the UAE government and people for showing solidarity and support at this time of need,” said Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman Asim Iftihar Ahmed. Pakistani Prime Minister Sheikh Baz Sharif thanks UAE Leaders and people provide timely and valuable assistance to the people of Pakistan in times of crisis.

The United Arab Emirates’ Emirates has announced free cargo capacity to aid Pakistan through its passenger flights. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, said: “In support of flood-affected Pakistani communities, Emirates is an NGO Free cargo capacity to deliver essential disaster relief supplies through international humanitarian cities,” Emirates and the group said in a tweet.

So far, Turkey has sent 11 cargo planes and two trains loaded with tons of relief supplies, including food, tents, blankets and medical aid for the affected people. “We are on the ground. We are on the road. We are on the railway. We are on air. We stand with Pakistan,” said Dr Kerem Kinik, president of the Turkish Red Crescent (Türk Kızılay).The Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (AFAD) delivered relief supplies of around 10,000 tents, 50,000 food packs, 50,000 hygiene materials and 10,000 baby food packs to the disaster area

Three Qatari Emir Air Force planes have also arrived in Pakistan to deliver aid to people affected by the floods. Central Asian countries Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan each sent a humanitarian flight carrying food and medical supplies.