The Provincial Secretary to Forest department Syed Sohail Akbar Shah who has been nominated as Convenor and District-wise Co-ordinator with regard to supervise relief operation in rain-affected areas at districts Hyderabad, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar and Matiari said that long- and short-term policies are being implemented to meet problems of immediate nature and future challenges of natural disasters.
He said that Government has expedited its efforts so that situation would be normalised within shortest possible time. This he said while holding meeting with the District Administrator Hyderabad Ahmed Bux Narejo at his office today. MNA Syed Ameer Ali Shah Jamote who is the member of District Relief Committee and All Taluka Municipal Officers and other officers from HDA as well as District Administration were also present in the meeting.
Syed Sohail Akbar Shah informed the meeting that the President of Pakistan is taking keen interest in relief operation to facilitate the rain-affected families; and he is personally monitoring the relief and survey work of damages through video conferences and satellite images. He further informed that Overseas Chamber of Commerce, Engro Company, Anjuman-e-Punjabi Tajiraan and another Islamic Charity organisation have agreed to look after the rain-affected families residing in Hyderabad district. He said that according to the strategy priority is being given to fulfil demands of affected persons of immediate nature which include distribution of ration bags, drinking water, medical facilities and tents for them. He asked the DCO Hyderabad to identify the villages and areas where such relief items are required so that same could be provided without delay. However, Mr Shah made it clear that these items to be provided to rain-affected persons in the district through District Relief Committees and the representatives from his side and participating philanthropist organisations to ensure transparent distribution. He asked the DCO to submit his requirements of immediate nature which would be fulfilled on emergency and war-footing basis.
The District Administrator/DCO Hyderabad Ahmed Bux Narejo while briefing the Secretary to Forest about relief activities being carried out by his administration in the district said that over all 513mm rain fall has been received by his district that caused huge losses of public and private property. He said that only in public sector 752 units of infrastructure including Roads, Education Works and Buildings have sustained the loss of 1,192.168 million. He said as many as 5,417 rain-affected persons including 3,114 children, 1,151 female and 1,152 male comprising 949 families have been provided shelter at 15 relief camps.
He said that majority of the rain-affected persons belong to other districts. Besides, 50,000 rain-affected persons are residing outside the camps near their houses and cattle where necessary ration is being provided to them. He informed to the Secretary Forest that 27,900 ration packs have been received from NDMA, PDMA, Red Crescent and District Government itself out of which 1,404 distributed in Hyderabad City, 6,050 in Latifabad, 3,287 in Qasimabad taluka and 16,619 in Hyderabad Rural taluka. He also maintained that 3,000 ration packs from NDMA and 1,284 ration packs from Baitul Maal are yet to be received within 24 hours. Narejo also informed that total 3,535 tents received from PDMA, Relief Commissioner and Red Crescent out of which 3,040 have been distributed while 495 are in balance.
The Administrator sought for 50,000 ration packs and 10,000 among them on urgent basis, 10,000 tents and at least two Jetting machines immediately to restore the chocked sewerage system in urban areas. The DCO Hyderabad keeping in view the quantum of devastation said that financial injection of Rs 260.00 million is needed and Rs 40 million have been received and distributed while Rs 220 million is still required.
The Secretary to Forest Department Syed Sohail Akbar Shah who is nominated as supervisor for relief operation in Hyderabad, Tando Muhammad Khan, Tando Allahyar and Matiari assured the District Administration to submit their requirements and that will be fulfilled.
However, he asked the officers to conduct the survey of losses transparently and provide relief to rain-affected without any discrimination. Meanwhile, the Secretary to Forest Syed Sohail Akbar Shah also visited Matiari where he held meeting with DCO Matiari Saqib Soomro. Talking to the officers of the district administration, Syed Sohail Akbar Shah directed the officers to provide ration, drinking water and health facilities to rain-affected persons on priority basis. He directed them for taking steps for dewatering accumulated rainwater from farm land so that farmers could be enabled to cultivate next crops. He said that Government has decided to provide assistance to the growers in the shape of providing loan for the purchase of seed, fertiliser for their next crops. He directed that in addition to provide health facilities to the rain victims, anti-Malaria spray should also be carried out as preventive measure. He directed for conducting survey of losses based on facts.
The DCO Matiari Saqib Soomro while briefing the Secretary to Forest Department who is nominated to supervise relief operation in his district, informed that taluka Saeedabad of Matiari district has been worst affected while people of Bhale Dino Kaka, Khair Muhammad Kaka, Bakhur Jamali and Udero Lal are still surrounded by rainwater.
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