Pakistan High Commission in Malaysia has made an appeal to Malaysians and Pakistani expatriates to generously donate in cash and help Pakistani government to alleviate suffering of flood affectees. Over 3.2 million people are affected in floods in various parts of Pakistan including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir, Punjab and Balochistan.
As a result of unprecedented floods, more than 1,500 people have died so far, more than 30,000 houses had been destroyed, vast swathes of standing crops have perished, most of the livestock has been killed and physical-communication infrastructure in affected areas has been destroyed. Whereas more monsoon rains were expected this week making the situation even worse.
Acting High Commissioner Dr Imtiaz A. Kazi while making the appeal in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday said although the full-fledged rescue and relief operations had been launched in affected areas with distribution of ration packs, emergency food items, tents, plastic mats, and blankets, the scale and magnitude of catastrophe required mobilisation of international community and Pakistani diaspora around the world including Malaysia to come forward with generous humanitarian assistance for the flood affected people.
The Acting High Commissioner said a special cell had been created in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Islamabad which in tandem with National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) was co-ordinating the relief assistance from across the world. He added that a formal appeal was being sent to the government of Malaysia, the Malaysian people and Pakistani diaspora, non-governmental and relief organisations to contribute generously in the Prime Minister Pakistan's Flood Relief fund.
He said contributions could preferably be made in cash to provide the affectees with shelter, food, medicines, water and sanitation. The donation could be sent to Pakistan in cash in Pak Rupees Account Number 000294-2, Branch code 0341 of National Bank of Pakistan Secretariat Branch, Islamabad, Pakistan.
Donations could also be sent to US $ account number 9901526, Branch code 0341 (swift code NBPAKKA021) of NBP, main branch, Islamabad, Pakistan. As regards assistance in kind, the same could be sent directly to Pakistan in the name of Director General, Emergency Relief Cell, Cabinet Division, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad.
Information with regard to assistance could be obtained directly from Acting High Commissioner Dr Imtiaz A. Kazi contact number 03-2161-4985 fax number 03-2164-5958 and email address floodreliefkl@gmail.com. Intending donors can also visit the High Commission's website www.pahickl.com and Website of Islamabad based NDMA at www.ndma.gov.pk for detailed information. Meanwhile, a three-member team of MERCY Malaysia and ICRC are leaving for Pakistan to assist in relief efforts.