We stand with UAE at the center of Pakistan’s flood relief efforts | Engineer Qaiser Nawab

We stand with UAE at the center of Pakistan’s flood relief efforts

Over the past few decades, the world has witnessed a significant increase in the number and intensity of natural disasters, causing heavy socioeconomic losses to humanity.

From high tides in the oceans to cyclonic storms, from record high temperatures to droughts in parts of the world, from torrential rains to flash floods, drastic changes in weather patterns are happening, and the world is riding the current wave of climate change in catastrophic The impact of the tragic form.

The first half of 2022 is no better, and will ostensibly be remembered for Pakistan’s deadly hydro-meteorological disaster, which caused shocking and severe damage to a third of the country.

Pakistan, which emits less than 1% of its carbon dioxide, ironically ranks 8th among countries most vulnerable to catastrophic effects of climate change, according to the 2021 Global Climate Risk Index.

Over nearly 20 years—from 2000 to 2019—the country suffered 173 extreme weather-related loss events, costing the economy $3.8 billion.

The recent floods affected more than 33 million people, causing huge economic losses, food shortages and large numbers of internally displaced persons.

The country lost $20 billion in overall economic output, and some 1,700 people were reported dead as a result of the flooding, infrastructure was severely damaged and livestock died.

According to the United Nations Flash Appeal, 20.6 million people are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.

With the global outcry, the “climate carnage” that UN Secretary-General António Guterres called Pakistan’s catastrophic devastation has received widespread international attention and a swift and massive response.

While working with local actors and the Pakistani government, the international community is scaling up support for long-term prevention and recovery.

The United Arab Emirates and Pakistan have long enjoyed a friendly relationship known as “brotherhood”.

Pakistan has always regarded the UAE as its most trustworthy and reliable ally.

The UAE leadership provided Pakistan with technical and financial assistance, among other measures, to help overcome obstacles hindering progress in the socio-economic sphere.

His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s passion for the people of Pakistan is reflected in the United Arab Emirates Assistance Program for Pakistan (UAEPAP).

Under the plan, the UAE has been helping Pakistan in various ways such as improving health indicators and building hospitals, improving economic conditions and eradicating unemployment, developing road infrastructure, education, access to drinking water and sanitation, and disaster management by providing medical care, food , shelter and long-term rehabilitation.

After record monsoon rains and flash floods since mid-June, the UAE has again become one of the first countries to provide humanitarian aid to those affected by floods in Pakistan.

With its unwavering humanitarianism and friendly relations with Pakistan, the UAE is at the forefront of relief delivery under the leadership of HEMr. Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al Zaabi, the most dynamic and capable ambassador in the diplomatic crop.

With the noble initiative “We Stand Together”, the UAE government has united hundreds of volunteers from seven emirates to provide life-saving support to the flood-affected population in Pakistan.

“We Stand Together” was launched by the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), Dubai Cares and Sharjah International Charities in close collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Community Development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of International Cooperation.

Nine other international agencies and aid organizations, including the Big Heart Foundation, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charitable Organization and the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation Yes, and participate in charitable activities.

So far, at least 16 humanitarian flights organized by the UAE have arrived in Pakistan, bringing in large quantities of much-needed items such as food, tents and medical equipment to help people affected by the floods.

The UAE’s contribution to the relief operation included 220,000 food parcels, 50,000 blankets, 12,000 tents, 6,000 mineral water bottles, 227 tons of dates and kitchen utensils.

In addition to this, hygiene kits have been delivered, which include essential items for women and children such as diapers, sanitary napkins and soap.

Food supplies including wheat, rice, lentils, oil and other non-perishable items are also part of the rescue kit.

In partnership with UNICEF, two teams of medical professionals from the UAE are working in Peshawar and Jacobbad to vaccinate 6,000 mothers and children against the deadly effects of the floods disease.

The Emirates Red Crescent has established two makeshift camps in the Punjab region and has distributed 534 tonnes of humanitarian aid across the province.

Pakistan has received heartfelt condolences and support from many in the UAE.

Disaster relief and recovery efforts in Pakistan have successfully responded to severe humanitarian natural disasters.

With their kindness, the UAE people have brought hope to the flood victims and brought urgently needed relief to the victims.

Shockingly, Pakistan has become one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, with effects as profound as the country’s geopolitical and sociopolitical instability.

The catastrophic impact of these changes on people’s lives is considerable and will worsen over time.

Although Pakistan has witnessed the UAE’s disaster relief efforts, it is clear that the long-term recovery of Pakistan’s population and environment will be a daunting task requiring substantial and sustained resources and committed international assistance.

The imperative is to initiate urgent and smarter policy improvements at the micro level.

Policies should be prioritized in line with an environmental sustainability agenda; protecting and conserving water bodies by controlling their flows and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.

Governments can work to promote environmentally friendly infrastructure, raise awareness of ecological issues, initiate more plantation activities, conserve water and reduce the generation of unsanitary waste and pollutants.

— The author is a global peace and climate activist, UN Sustainable Development Goals advocate, freelance writer, and expert on the Middle East and Central Asia.