Karachi, 24 September 2022 (TDI): First flight carrying relief assistance from Italy landed at the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, Pakistan. This is the first tranche of relief aid sent by Italy to the victim of floods that impacted Pakistan during this year’s monsoon.
The Italian Vice Consul in Karachi, Enrico Ricciardi, the Italian Military Attache, as well as members of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received the relief supplies.
Advisor to the Chief Minister of Sindh on Relief and Rehabilitation; Rasool Bakhsh Chandio was also present on the occasion. The Pakistani side warmly appreciated Italy providing relief help.
Floods in Pakistan
The most devastating floods in recent Pakistani history were caused by torrential monsoon rains. The floods washed away villages and left some 3.4 million children in need of aid and more vulnerable to watery illnesses, drowning, and hunger.
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The extent of the destruction is becoming more and more clear as the floodwaters slowly recede. Along with numerous public health facilities, water systems, and schools, hundreds of thousands of residences have also been destroyed or damaged.
Young children are exposed to a wide range of new flood-related risks and hazards, such as damaged houses and drowning in floodwaters, while living in the open with their families without access to drinking water, food, or a means of support.
Italy–Pakistan relations
Pakistan and Italy maintain cordial ties. Italy is a contributor to the Pakistani economy. Under the Pakistan Italian Debt for Development Swap Agreement, Italy gave Pakistan US$100 million for social development projects in sanitation, health, and education.
The Pakistani government and the Italian government also agreed to offer Italian investors who want to invest in Pakistan a credit line with a value of $10 billion.
Italy has additionally backed Pakistan’s request for an EU-Pakistan free trade pact. Over 150,000 Pakistanis, the majority of whom come from the Punjab, reside in Italy, mostly in the cities of Milan and Brescia.
