Pakistan dispatches relief aid to Lebanon for victims of Israel’s military campaign

Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority officials gesture for a group photo as Pakistan dispatches relief aid to Lebanon, in Karachi on October 16, 2024. (Photo courtesy: NDMA)

• The relief goods include medicines, ready-to-eat meat, warm bedding and winter clothing
• This is Pakistan’s second aid shipment to Lebanon since Israel started targeting its cities

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Thursday dispatched a consignment of relief items to Lebanon, confirming in a statement that the initiative is part of the government’s effort to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by Israel’s military campaign in the Middle East.
Israel besieged the Gaza Strip and launched airstrikes after a surprise attack by Hamas in October last year, which the group said was in response to the worsening conditions of Palestinians under Israeli occupation.
The war has lasted for over a year, resulting in nearly 43,000 Palestinian deaths, mostly women and children.
More recently, Israel opened another front in Lebanon, with the stated aim of destroying Hezbollah, which attempted to provide military assistance to Palestinians, raising fears of a broader regional conflict, potentially involving Iran.
“On the directives of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, National Disaster Management Authority continues to provide humanitarian aid to the war-affected people of Gaza and Lebanon,” the NDMA said. “On Thursday, the second consignment of aid was dispatched from Karachi to Lebanon.”
“This aid shipment, sent by NDMA in collaboration with Al-Khidmat Foundation, comprises approximately 100 tons of supplies, including medicines, ready-to-eat meat, tents, tarpaulins, warm bedding, winter clothing, and powdered milk,” it continued.
It informed the send-off ceremony, held at Jinnah International Airport, was attended by representatives from NDMA, the foreign ministry, Al-Khidmat Foundation and the local administration.
“This is Pakistan’s 12th aid shipment to Palestine and Lebanon,” the statement said. “Prior to this, 10 aid consignments were sent to Palestine, and Thursday marked the second shipment to Lebanon.”
The government has already established the prime minister’s relief fund to collect public donations to support the people in Gaza and Lebanon.