Islamabad, 8 February 2023 (TDI): The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) of Pakistan has dispatched a special relief consignment for the earthquake victims of Syria through a charter flight from Islamabad on the directions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Rana Tanveer Hussain, the Federal Minister for Education, and Inam Haider Malik, the Chairman of NDMA, witnessed the release of the special relief consignment sent for Syria. The Ambassador of Syria to Pakistan Ramiz Ar-Rai was also present on occasion.
Relief goods
The equipment cargo contained blankets and tents. The supplies were transported from Islamabad Airport to Damascus by a specially chartered aircraft.
According to NDMA, more supplies for the earthquake-affected Syrian brothers and sisters will be dispatched soon. More aid will shortly be transported by road to Syria.
Additionally, Pakistan assured that it would support Syria in any way it could at this challenging time. Shahid Alvi, the Ambassador of Pakistan to Syria, will accept the supplies.
Prime Minister sets up relief fund for earthquake-hit Turkiye
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif set up a relief fund to help the earthquake-hit people of Turkiye, appealing to the people, particularly businessmen, and philanthropists, to donate generously for the purpose.
The decision was made during a Federal Cabinet meeting presided over by Sharif. The participants also prayed Fateha for the souls of the hundreds of people who died as a result of the earthquake in Turkiye and Syria.
Also read: Pakistan dispatches 1st batch of rescue teams, relief goods to Türkiye
The Federal Cabinet announced to donate one month’s salary to the relief fund. It was also decided that the Federal Government employees of grades 18 to 22 would donate one day’s salary to the distressed Turkish people.
Earthquake death toll continues to increase in Turkiye and Syria
The latest death toll from Monday’s catastrophic earthquake stands at 8,364. Syria’s toll had climbed to 2,470. At least 5,894 have died in Turkiye, bringing the overall lives lost in both countries so far to 7,926. However, the numbers are expected to increase significantly.
According to Turkish Vice-President, Fuat Oktay more than 8,000 people so far have been pulled from the debris. About 380,000 people have taken refuge in government shelters or hotels, with others huddling in shopping malls and mosques.
It is pertinent to note that Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared a disaster zone in the 10 provinces affected by the earthquakes, imposing a state of emergency in the region for three months.
