ISLAMABAD: UAE’s Emirates airline announced on Friday that its passenger flights to Pakistan are offering free-of-charge cargo capacity for organizations based at the International Humanitarian City (IHC) so they can provide maximum aid to flood affectees in the South Asian country.
Earlier this week, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, in a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, expressed solidarity with the people of Pakistan, who are currently reeling from devastation brought about by floods.
Unusually heavy rains in Pakistan have triggered flash floods in various areas of the country. The floods have killed over 1,200 people in Pakistan since mid-June and affected 33 million people and also destroyed thousands of homes.
At least 11 flights from the UAE carrying flood relief assistance have arrived in Pakistan.
“To support communities in Pakistan affected by floods, Emirates is offering cargo capacity free of charge for NGOs to transport essential relief goods through the International Humanitarian City,” Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group said in a tweet on late Friday.
He said that the president and vice-president of the UAE have directed authorities to provide urgent aid to Pakistan, adding “we’re ready to play our part.”
Earlier this week, UAE Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al-Maktoum sanctioned 50 million dirhams in emergency aid to Pakistan to overcome the floods catastrophe.
Meanwhile, PM Sharif said on Saturday that a massive national effort is underway to restore essential services in areas ravaged by floods.
“NHA [National Highway Authority, DISCOs [Power distribution companies], PTA [Pakistan Telecommunication Authority] & other federal departments have done amazing work against the heaviest of odds & largely rehabiliated the damaged infrastructure,” PM said.
