Brussels, 29 August 2022 (TDI): In the midst of heavy floods in Pakistan, Belgium has provided emergency relief to Pakistan in the form of 300 family tents, via (Belgium First Aid Support Team) B-FAST, which can provide shelter to 1800 people.
Belgium responded immediately to the Pakistani government’s request for humanitarian aid and is sending 300 family tents through #BFast, providing shelter for 1800 people.https://t.co/9PZngDp9es
— Hadja Lahbib (@hadjalahbib) August 29, 2022
Approximately 100 districts in Pakistan have been impacted by major flooding since the beginning of July. The impact of floods is more in the western provinces of Baluchistan and southern Sindh. Moreover, the floods are the result of extremely heavy rains in the country.
Over 1,000 people have perished as a result of the floods, and several infrastructures have been ruined. In response to these floods, Pakistan launched an appeal for international aid.
Belgium will provide humanitarian relief to Pakistan via B-FAST. In these difficult times, Belgium has demonstrated solidarity with the government and the people of Pakistan.
Furthermore, this B-FAST mission is coordinated by the Federal Public Service Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, and Development Cooperation of Belgium.
The mission will get assistance from the FPS Public Health, the Defense, the FPS Interior, and the FPS Policy and Support of Belgium for logistical and administrative support. Moreover, the Prime Minister’s Office of Belgium is also a part of this mechanism.
Belgian First Aid and Support Team (B-FAST)
The Federal Government of Belgium determined that it was necessary to establish a more permanent structure for assistance and relief operations that can be mobilized at any time. Its purpose is to deliver a faster and more efficient reaction to emergency circumstances.
B-FAST was based on the experiences of the relief operations and assistance of Belgium to Turkey, which was hit by earthquakes in August and November 1999.
Currently, B-FAST is ready to provide humanitarian aid to Pakistan in light of severe flood disasters.
Also read: President of Pakistan receives credentials from Belgium Ambassador
Pakistan-Belgium relations
Pakistan and Belgium have longstanding bilateral relations. Both states have good political, economic, and military relations.
Belgium is the sixth-largest importer of commodities from Pakistan in Europe. Additionally, bilateral commerce between the two countries is close to US$600 million. Moreover, Belgium also sent Pakistan emergency relief totalling €4.6 million during the 2010 Pakistan floods.
