Tag: flood

  • PM’s flood relief fund to be audited to ‘ensure transparency’

    PM’s flood relief fund to be audited to ‘ensure transparency’

    Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday announced that the government will conduct an audit of the PM Flood Relief Fund to maintain transparency.

    The fund will be audited by the Accountant General of Pakistan Revenues (AGPR) and a private audit firm of “global standing”.

    “As per my commitment to ensure transparency, the government has decided to get the PM Flood Relief Fund audited by AGPR and a private audit firm of global standing. They will audit all incoming and outgoing funds, including where and how the money is spent. The audit reports will be made public,” PM wrote in a tweet.

    Pakistan is experiencing one of the worst floods in its history. In the last 24 hours, 26 more deaths have occurred, which has taken the death toll to 1,290.

    The floods have wreaked havoc across all four provinces. The scale of devastation has been estimated to be upwards of $10 billion.

    Many countries are coming forward to help Pakistan. So far, the country has received aid from China, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, Uzbekistan, and the United Arab Emirates among others.

    On Thursday, the UK announced an additional £15 million of lifesaving support for flood victims in Pakistan.

    This week, the United States announced it would provide $30 million for flood victims.

    United Nations (UN) chief Antonio Guterres called the floods a “climate catastrophe” and launched an appeal for $160 million in emergency funding. Meanwhile, western countries have also donated millions of dollars to Pakistan.

  • Summary to deduct two days’ salary of government employees sent to PM

    Summary to deduct two days’ salary of government employees sent to PM

    According to Finance Minister Miftah Ismail, a summary to deduct two days’ amount of government employees’ salary is being sent to Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif for approval in order to assist the flood-affected families.

    Additionally, he requested that the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) should instruct banks to direct a portion of their profits and staff pay to be withheld in order to support flood victims at this crucial time.

    According to Brecorder, Miftah claimed the federal government has provided Rs28 billion for the flood victims while speaking to the Jamiyat Panjabi Saudagaran Delhi Karachi members at the group’s office.

    “I am ready to contribute Rs60 billion for the flood victims, and I have already requested the PM for the consideration, yesterday. This amount will be arranged from the budget, and some other sources,” Ismail said.

    Govt to pay Rs25,000 to one woman from each affected family

    The federal government has decided to pay Rs25,000 for one woman from each family over the next two weeks in order to help flood-affected families who are currently in desperate need of assistance in various districts across the nation.

    This will help them to pay for their essential living costs and prevent them from having to spend the night sleeping on the ground on an empty stomach.

    Import of essential food items

    In response to comments about rising vegetable and petroleum product prices, he said that the government is importing essential products from nearby nations, particularly onions and tomatoes. It is possible to import onions from the neighbouring country of India, and two international organisations have been contacted in this regard.

    Standing crops have been damaged by the monsoon floods, according to Miftah. Loss of at least $10 billion has been calculated thus far.

    He estimated that it will cost about Rs500 billion to rebuild. He acknowledged that the main problem facing the average person is inflation, and he promised to lower electricity rates in two months and put inflation under control in four to five months.

    Ismail said that by successful negotiations with the IMF and obtaining the required support from friendly nations, particularly Qatar, he had saved the country from a potential default.

    He also blamed the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine for the recent increase in fuel costs for gas, diesel, and coal in Pakistan and around the globe.

    The Finance Minister said that the decision to impose ban on import of some luxury products was in larger interest of the country.

  • Video: Young shoe polisher wins hearts by donating half of his earnings to flood victims

    Video: Young shoe polisher wins hearts by donating half of his earnings to flood victims

    A charity organisation, Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan, posted a video of a young boy donating Rs30 for flood relief efforts.

    The shoe polisher has been donating to the flood relief camp at Thokar Niaz Baig in Lahore for the last five days, according to the Alkhidmat Foundation.

    It went on to say that since he did not have any money to donate the day before yesterday, he shined some shoes and donated Rs30 of the Rs60 he had earned.

    In the emotional video, the boy can be seen searching his pockets for money before putting it inside the contribution box.

    The post has been retweeted 8k times and received over 24k likes, with others applauding the noble gesture from a poor youngster. Some netizens stated that it is a lesson for people who earn a lot of money but do not contribute or have a big enough heart to donate enough money in such instances.

  • Govt to waive fees, give scholarships for university students in flood-affected areas

    Govt to waive fees, give scholarships for university students in flood-affected areas

    Federal Minister for Education Rana Tanveer Hussain has said on Thursday that the government has decided to provide relief to university students in flood-affected areas by waiving their fees and giving them scholarships.

    In a tweet, he said that he held a meeting with the Chair Higher Education Commission (HEC) and decided to facilitate the university students in calamity-struck zones.

    Under the relief package, the government would defer current/due university fee payments, devise a mechanism/possibility for a fee waiver and announce a special scholarship program (undergraduate and graduation) for students.

    Tanveer stated that in these pressing times the government stands firm with the people and would do whatever it takes for rehabilitation of flood victims.

    “Doing fund-raising, providing food and tents, and setting up medical camps and transitional schools is our top priority,” he added.

    In another tweet, the federal minister said that “Our Government under the able leadership of Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif is fully committed to provide maximum relief to our people suffering from flood calamity. In these pressing times, we stand firm with our people and will do whatever it takes for rehabilitation.”

    Earlier today, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif announced that he will not be taking a scheduled official trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to focus on relief and rescue operations. Foreign Minister (FM) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari also cancelled his scheduled visit in late August to four European countries. Separately, the media wing of the armed forces, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) also announced that Defense Day celebrations will be postponed to express solidarity with flood victims.

    Heavy monsoon rains in the country have triggered massive floods that have submerged a third of the country and killed at least 1,191 people. 27 more people died in the previous 24 hours on Thursday.

    Approximately 116 districts across the four provinces have been affected. Infrastructure, including bridges, roads, schools, homes and hospitals. According to World Health Organisation (WHO), 888 health facilities have been inundated with flood water.

  • UN chief to visit flood-affected areas on Sept 9

    UN chief to visit flood-affected areas on Sept 9

    United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres will pay a ‘solidarity visit’ to the flood-affected areas of Pakistan on September 9.

    “With the tragic situation facing millions of men, women and children impacted by historic floods in Pakistan, the Secretary-General will travel to the country next week for a solidarity visit,” said UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

    According to Dujarric, the UN secretary-general will arrive in Islamabad and will go to the areas most impacted by the unprecedented climate catastrophe. He will also have conversations with displaced families and humanitarian agencies working on the ground.

    He is expected to remain in the country for two days and will leave on September 11.

    Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said it will contribute in a big way to our collective effort to highlight the impact of this disaster.

    On Tuesday, the UN appealed to the world to collect $160 million in aid for the Pakistani flood victims.

    UN Secretary-General António Guterres called upon the international community to take more steps to fight global warming and its impacts.

    “Let’s stop sleepwalking towards the destruction of our planet by climate change. Today, it is Pakistan. Tomorrow, it could be your country.”

    During the ongoing monsoon season, Pakistan received about 186 per cent higher rainfall than its 30-year national average.

    One-third of Pakistan has been completely submerged by unprecedented floods and the overall death toll is now more than 1,100.

  • Pakistan to import vegetables from neighbouring countries to overcome shortage

    Pakistan to import vegetables from neighbouring countries to overcome shortage

    After devastating floods ravaged the nation, Pakistani officials made the decision to import onions and tomatoes from Iran and Afghanistan due to the rising prices and imminent food crisis.

    The production and supply of vegetables and other crops has been impacted by the recent torrential rains and flooding.

    At a meeting presided over by Commerce Minister Naveed Qamar, the Ministry of Commerce made the announcement. The minister also examined the country’s supply of tomatoes and onions.

    To address the nationwide demand for these crops, the session voted to facilitate the import of onions and tomatoes from Afghanistan and Iran.

    According to The News, the panellists predicted that there will be a tomato and onion shortage in the nation within the next three months. They also stated that because recent flooding has harmed crops, a shortage and price increase are anticipated.

    The News reports that the importation of tomatoes and onions will help to uplift their availability and maintain their pricing.

    The Ministry of Commerce would collaborate with the FBR and the Ministry of National Food Security, it was decided at the meeting. The session also resolved to request reductions in taxes and charges from the federal cabinet’s Economic Coordination Committee for imported tomatoes and onions.

    Earlier, Qamar had emphasised the importance of taking quick action to make tomatoes and onions available to consumers and to stabilise the skyrocketing costs of these commodities. Due to a lack of supply in the market as a result of recent floods, the price of onions and tomatoes has reached Rs 300 per kg.

  • Flood-related losses may exceed $10 billion: Ahsan Iqbal

    Flood-related losses may exceed $10 billion: Ahsan Iqbal

    Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said that the initial economic losses caused by the floods in Pakistan cost at least $10 billion.

    The estimated cost was disclosed by Planning Minister on Monday, saying that Pakistan needed help from the rest of the world to deal with the consequences of climate change.

    Unexpected monsoon rains have caused historic flash floods that have destroyed bridges, crops, infrastructure, and highways, killing over 1,000 people and affecting more than 33 million. “I think it is going to be huge. So far, (a) very early, preliminary estimate is that it is big, it is higher than $10 billion,” Iqbal said.

    The minister estimated that the 200-million-person South Asian country, which will be facing an acute food scarcity, may take five years to reconstruct and recover.

     Along with significant damage to the rice fields, he claimed that 45 per cent of the cotton harvests had been washed away. “I think it is going to be huge. So far, (a) very early, preliminary estimate is that it is big, it is higher than $10 billion,” Iqbal said.

    According to Reuters, the Pakistani military said in a statement on Tuesday that rescue operations were still in progress and that foreign aid, including seven military aircraft from Turkey and three from the United Arab Emirates, was beginning to reach the nation.

    More aid will be sent to Pakistan as a result, which will assist it in overcoming its current condition.

    More than 300 stranded persons had been airlifted away, more than 23 metric tonnes of relief supplies had been provided, and more than 50 medical camps had been set up, with more than 33,000 patients receiving treatment, according to the statement.

    Moreover, China will send two aircraft on Tuesday (today) carrying 3,000 tents and Japan will send tarpaulins and shelters, in addition to the announcements of financial support from the UK, Canada, Australia, and Azerbaijan.

    As the cash-strapped nation struggles with political and economic unrest made worse by the historic floods, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) threw it another lifeline on Monday by releasing $1.17 billion in bailout funding.

    “Pakistan is in dire need and the damages are here and we will be in this a very long time,” Iqbal said. “It’s not months but years we are talking about.”

  • KP govt launches ‘Flood Reporting’ app to aid flood victims

    KP govt launches ‘Flood Reporting’ app to aid flood victims

    To promptly aid those impacted by severe flooding, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government launched the “Flood Reporting” application on Monday.

    Atif Khan, the Minister of Science and Information Technology for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), gave specific directions for the introduction of the smartphone application.

    The minister stated in a message that flood victims will be able to use the Flood Reporting App to notify when they need food or medicine.

    He promised that the impacted agencies and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) would see to it that the victims of the disaster received immediate aid.

    The latest application has a thorough system for seeking assistance for victims and keeping track of feedback. The smartphone application will allow users to instantly report the type of incidents that occurred and the assistance that is needed.

    Although 1,061 deaths have been reported by authorities since the start of the seasonal rains in June, the eventual death toll may be higher since hundreds of villages in the hilly north have been shut off after roads and bridges were wiped away by floodwaters.

  • Vegetable prices soar amid low supply due to floods

    Vegetable prices soar amid low supply due to floods

    Extreme flooding has hampered the supply of perishable items from agricultural areas, driving up the prices of onions and tomatoes in city markets.

    While tomatoes cost Rs400-450 per kilogramme (kg), onions cost Rs350-400 per kg. Onion prices rose by Rs75 per kg week over week in the official rate list, while tomato prices rose by Rs234 per kg.

    The supply chain is hampered by road blockages and transportation restrictions in flood-affected areas, according to The News.

    Onion A-grade cost Rs75 more per kg, was fixed at Rs180-190, and was sold for Rs350-400 per kg. Onion B-grade cost Rs160-167 per kg, was sold for Rs235-250 per kg, and onion C-grade was priced at Rs180-200 per kg.

    Tomato A-grade price increased by Rs234 per kg, maintained at Rs320-330 per kg, sold for Rs400-450 per kg, followed by B-grade price increase to Rs290-300 per kg, C-grade price increase to Rs240-250 per kg, and B&C price increase to Rs350 per kg.

    Chinese carrot prices increased by Rs11 per kg, from Rs80 to Rs85 per kg to Rs120 to Rs160 per kg for sale. Fenugreek (Methi) remained constant at Rs250-260 per kg and was sold for Rs400 per kg.

    This week, the price of chicken also climbed by Rs20 per kg, from Rs240 per kg to Rs280–300 per kg, and the price of chicken meat by Rs30 per kg, from Rs362/kg to Rs380–650/kg.

    Cucumber Farm increased its price by Rs50 per kg, fixed at Rs120-125 per kg, sold at Rs150 per kg, and locally sold cucumbers were sold for Rs200 per kg.

    Brinjal price increased by Rs5 per kg, from Rs86 to Rs90 per kg, and was sold for Rs120 to Rs140 per kg.

    Price of bitter gourd rose by Rs10 per kg, fixed at Rs160-165 per kg, and sold at Rs200 per kg.

    Local lemon prices increased by Rs20 per kg, from Rs235-245 per kg to Rs280-320 per kg when sold. Pumpkin remained at Rs60–63 per kg, sold for Rs80–100 per kg, and pumpkin long was sold for Rs140–150 per kg.

  • ‘Cancel your political engagements’: Nawaz Sharif directs party to help flood victims

    ‘Cancel your political engagements’: Nawaz Sharif directs party to help flood victims

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif urged the nation and directed his party leaders to come forward and help the flood affectees.

    “I will also request all PML-N MNAs and MPAs to cancel their political and other engagements and put all your energies into helping the flood victims,” said Sharif on Sunday (August 28).

    He highlighted that thousands of people have died and millions are left homeless and repeatedly urged the people to help the victims generously.

    Nawaz has also appealed to set up relief camps for flood affectees and has asked to provide them with tents to ensure shelter.

    Nawaz praised his brother Shehbaz Sharif’s efforts as prime minister who “has completely focused on providing relief to the victims and has cancelled all of his engagements”.

    “Together PM Shehbaz and Maryam will hold the hands of all affectees,” he added.

    The government warned on Sunday that the number of people affected by the devastating floods may cross 33 million.

    The death toll due to floods across Pakistan has reached 1,061.

    Maryam Nawaz visited Taunsa today (Monday) to meet the flood victims.

    https://twitter.com/pmln_org/status/1564183626471931904?s=20&t=BcJm6g7Pwx1zuB6R_nedqA