Islamabad, 28 August 2022 (TDI): Catherine Colonna, the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic called the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari. She expressed sympathy for the damage caused by floods in Pakistan.
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Foreign Minister receives telephone call from Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic
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— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) August 28, 2022
During the phone call, the two counterparts discussed the calamitous situation in Pakistan. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari thanked the French Foreign Minister for her country’s solidarity and offer of aid to Pakistanis in its hour of need.
The Foreign Minister of Pakistan also apprised Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna of the immense devastation caused by unusual rainfall, resulting in floods, and landslides across the country.
Floods have caused substantial loss of human lives, livelihoods, cattle, crops, property, as well as infrastructure. Moreover, the situation is expected to worsen as heavy rains persist over areas already inundated by more than two months of storms and flooding.
Foreign Minister Bilawal informed his French counterpart about the government’s humanitarian response for individuals in impacted areas.
These include the establishment of a Relief Fund for people across the country and around the world to donate to flood relief operations.
Along these lines, he said that the “UN Flash Appeal” will be launched on August 30, 2022, and expressed optimism that the international community would contribute to meeting the Flash Appeal’s funding requirements.
Also Read: Canada’s High Commissioner condoles with Pakistan on floods
The two Ministers also discussed ways to revitalize and strengthen bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and France in areas of mutual importance.
Floods in Pakistan
According to Pakistan’s Climate Change Minister, Sherry Rehman at least 33 million people have been affected by devastating flooding.
In addition, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has reported that 937 people have perished as a result of heavy rain and flooding in the country since mid-June.
Pakistan is on its eighth monsoon cycle when the country generally has three to four cycles of rain. The megaflood torrent statistics are startling.
Sherry Rehman underscored the damage to the country’s south, in particular, adding that “maximum” relief operations are ongoing.
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