Like many friendly nations, United Arab Emirates (UAE) is also massively supporting Pakistan in quake relief endeavours and has so far provided 1,900 tons of relief goods for the survivors.
UAE has been supplementing the humanitarian supplies daily, and day after the devastating earthquake, the brotherly country formed an air bridge to ferry relief goods from the Emirates to Chakala air base.
According to UAE Embassy, 1,900 tons relief goods have so far been unloaded which included tents, blankets, medicines and food items. Since October 8, UAE government, armed forces, police, Red Crescent, scout society, Muhammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity, people as well as Pakistani community in UAE have been participating in rescue and relief assistance to support their brethren in need.
The Red Crescent teams in Kashmir and northern region are struggling to provide tents and relief supplies to thousands of homeless people living under the open sky.
The night after the earthquake, rescue teams of Abu Dhabi and Dubai police, furnished with modern equipment as well as sniffer dogs, started its operation and pulled out numerous people trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings in the affected zone.
Around 12,000 injured and sick people have so far been provided medical facilities at the UAE armed forces field hospital in Balakot and Hazara districts where outdoor clinic is receiving 550 people daily, said head of UAE Armed forces team, Brigadier Abdul Rahman Ibrahim Bin Abdul Aziz.
He said six medical units were moving on foot for search of injured people among the quake survivors in remote and inaccessible villages around Balakot to provide first aid or arrange shifting to the field hospital.
"We make them feel they are not alone in this hour of grief and need. We strive to alleviate their sufferings," he said and added UAE team comprising UAE Armed Forces, Red Crescent and other charitable organisations are constantly engaged in distribution of relief goods.
Two young ladies who suffered spinal cord injuries and were the fifth batch of serious cases sent to Abu Dhabi onboard ambulances plane of the UAE Armed Forces for operations. The arrangements were made with the co-operation of the Pakistani Armed Forces. So far 38 people were airlifted to UAE and another 60 serious cases were waiting for their turn.
The UAE embassy in Islamabad also cancelled all celebrations of National Day as well as Eid-ul-Fitr to share the sufferings of Pakistani people due to the colossal losses of life in the devastating earthquake.
"They must feel they are not alone in this hour of need. I assure them that the government and people of UAE will provide all possible assistance to alleviate their sufferings and to help in the reconstruction of their homes and areas. UAE is committed to engage in the rehabilitation process," said UAE ambassador in Islamabad.
The UAE also wants its continuous relief to address the rising concern over the fate of orphans and separated children after the massive earthquake.
A delegation headed by Deputy Chief of General Staff of UAE also visited Balakot to share moments of care and affection with the injured receiving treatment at the UAE Armed Forces hospital.