1,500 tonnes of food aid for
 famine victims in Pakistan

This is considered to be the first global humanitarian initiative in response to the crisis which threatens nearly 1.2 million residents in Pakistan.

Implementing the directives of the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to provide urgent food and medical assistance to those affected by famine in Tharparkar district of Pakistan, the UAE Pakistan Assistance Programme (UAE PAP) has mobilised 1,500 tonnes of basic food aid, including infant formula, to be distributed among 20,000 needy families.

A girl shows a bag of food her family received from the UAE-Pakistan Assistance Programme in famine-hit Tharparkar district. — Wam

The UAE PAP administration, in a statement on Wednesday, said the guidance and generous initiative of His Highness the Head of State comes within the framework of his firm approach to provide humanitarian aid to the needy and poor and provision of a decent life for them. It also highlights Shaikh Khalifa’s keenness to alleviate the impact of the humanitarian crisis faced by the Pakistani people in areas affected by the wave of drought and famine.

It added that this is considered to be the first global humanitarian initiative in response to the crisis which threatens nearly 1.2 million residents of the region and which has already caused the death of 67 children due to lack of food, poor healthcare and cold weather in Tharparkar district.

The UAE PAP administration further said, “A time plan has been set for the implementation of the generous initiative in coordination with the World Health Organisation, the Government of Pakistan and Pakistan Army. The processing of 1,500 tonnes of food has started according to the latest specifications and quality controls in terms of nutritional and health value. The total weight of each food basket will be 75 kilograms, containing food supplies that include infant formula, flour, rice, sugar, salt, lentils, cooking oil and tea. The quantity of food will be sufficient for a whole month and will help the families facing the repercussions of the acute shortage of food sources, malnutrition and the impact of the cold weather.”

The statement offered thanks and appreciation to Shaikh Khalifa on this noble initiative which is an addition to the list of humanitarian initiatives from his goodness, giving and kind nature.

The provincial government in Pakistan has reported that a total of 67 children have died in recent weeks in Tharparkar district because of the bitter cold that caused pneumonitis and malnutrition.

Also, other official reports noted that this humanitarian disaster is mainly attributed to the drought, famine and severe cold wave and the spread of sheep pox epidemic that wiped out huge numbers of livestock on which families are depending on as a major source for food provision.

• UAE