ISLAMABAD: King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief) launched a winter relief program on Monday to distribute emergency kits to people affected by extremely cold weather in four provinces of Pakistan.
“Each package contains two blankets, men’s and women’s shawls, five pairs of socks, gloves and caps at a total cost of $1.5 million, and 150,000 individuals will benefit from this project,” KSRelief said in a statement while launching the project in Islamabad.
One hundred and eighty tons of goods in 30,000 packages will be distributed all over Pakistan.
Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan, Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki, told Arab News that the winter relief kits are a gift for the Pakistani people from King Salman bin Abdulaziz.
“The Kingdom always stands with Pakistan in critical situations. We will keep on helping Pakistan in times of need,” the envoy said, adding that many projects have been executed by KSRelief all over Pakistan and many more will come.
“KSRelief and the government of Pakistan are going to sign a memorandum of understanding for future projects very soon,” Al-Malki said.
Minister Noor-ul-Haq Qadri praised KSRelief’s humanitarian work during its winter aid program’s launch in Islamabad, Jan. 6, 2020. (AN photo)
The winter relief program comes under the umbrella of humanitarian projects by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to assist poor families in the coldest areas of Pakistan.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 8,000 winter kits will be distributed in Chitral, Shangla, Kohistan, Buner and Mansehra.
In Azad Kashmir, 7,500 kits will be brought to Neelum, Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Haveli, Hattiyan Bala and Bagh. In Gilgit Baltistan, 7,500 relief packages will be dispatched to Astor, Kharmang, Ghanche, Shigar and Ghize. In Balochistan, 7,000 winter kits will be distributed among families in Ziarat, Kallat, Pishin and Zhob.
During the winter program’s launch, Pakistani Religious Affairs Minister Noor-ul-Haq Qadri said KSRelief’s motto of helping humanity, irrespective of nationality, language, region and color, is exemplary.
“On behalf of the Pakistani people and government, I offer my gratitude and thank KSRelief for their efforts during any disaster faced by the country. These relief packages are very important for the affected families, rather lifesaving in this cold weather,” the minister said, adding that Pakistan will offer cooperation of any kind to support KSRelief in its work.
He added that Saudi-Pakistani friendship is unshakable.
“The Faisal Mosque and Islamic University are symbols of brotherly relations and love, which have been extended by Saudi Arabia to Pakistan over the years. Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman’s visit in February last year has taken bilateral relations to a new height,” Qadri said.
With one of the largest humanitarian aid budgets in the world, KSRelief has been working in 46 countries. Pakistan is the fifth-largest recipient of its help and has received more than $117.6 million in aid since 2005.
