ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSrelief) announced on Saturday it has distributed 12,000 shelter and non-food items (NFIs) kits to families affected by torrential rains and floods in Pakistan.
Heavy rains from July to September killed at least 347 people in Pakistan and damaged thousands of homes in the South Asian country. Pakistan is recognized as one of the world’s most vulnerable countries due to climate change effects where floods in 2022 killed over 1,700 people.
The shelter and NFI kits were provided to those affected by the floods in all provinces of Pakistan, including the internationally disputed territories under its control such as Azad Kashmir and the Gilgit-Baltistan region, the agency said.
“A total of 12,000 Shelter and Non-Food Items (NFIs) kits have been dispatched to meet the urgent needs of those impacted by the floods,” KSrelief said.
It said the kits contain vital relief supplies, including emergency shelters, solar panels with LED lights, blankets, plastic mats, kitchen sets, water coolers and antibacterial soap.
“The provisions are designed to support 84,000 individuals, providing critical assistance in this challenging time,” it added.
KSrelief said the relief efforts would help recent flood victims living in 20 districts, including Upper Chitral, Lower Chitral, Kohistan, Mansehra, Dera Ismail Khan, Nasirabad, Usta Mohammad, Jhal Magsi, Killa Saifullah, Rajanpur, Kot Adu and Muzaffargarh.
Other districts include Badin, Sajawal, Sanghar, Jacobabad, Astore, Ghizer, Kotli, and Bimber, the agency added.
“KSrelief is working closely with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Provincial Disaster Management Authorities (PDMAs), and local administrations to ensure effective distribution,” KSrelief said.
The Saudi organization has one of the largest humanitarian budgets available to any aid agency across the world, which has allowed its officials to undertake a wide variety of projects in more than 80 countries.
Pakistan is the fifth largest beneficiary of its aid and humanitarian activities and has greatly benefited from its assistance since last year’s monsoon floods.