Pakistan could seek foreign assistance in the event of heavy monsoon Emergency
By: ASMA RAZAQ
Islamabad: Pakistan may seek foreign assistance in case of heavy monsoon season in 2012 which may lead to relocation and rehabilitation of 1.46 million people across the country.
Chairman National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said while talking exclusively with Business Recorder here on Tuesday, “it is true that Pakistan received just 10 percent of foreign assistance that we requested to initiate projects of shelter, clean water and sanitation and food etc for the 2011 flood affected areas but we are concerned that August 2012 may be a heavy monsoon season that would lead to flooding in rivers and so we have decided to request for financial assistance from international community in case of any emergency”.
“No doubt, the country experienced low rain volume in July 2012 but there still exists the risk of a heavy monsoon in August. Anyhow, according to the MET Office no heavy rain fall would be experienced in any part of the country during this week except Upper Punjab”, the Chairman said.
The Chairman said that according to National Contingency Plan finalised in consultation with all the four provinces, Pakistan will require Rs 16.38 billion for the flood relief package including tents, blankets, ration packs and mosquito nets if the country meets another natural disaster like floods 2010 and 2011 in this calendar year. An amount of Rs 3.9 billion for the purchase of 0.4 million tents, Rs 377 million for the purchase of 0.75 million blankets, and Rs 11.6 billion for the purchase of 14.6 million food packs and Rs 397 million for the purchase of 0.93 million mosquito nets will be required in case of emergency caused by any natural calamity.
“Since the accuracy and reliability of existing weather forecasting capabilities are limited to only three to five days’ advance forecasting, the NDMA has advised all PDMAs and the relevant stakeholders to remain prepared in case of any emergency”, the Chairman added.
The Chairman said that Emergency Relief Cell that functions under the ages of Cabinet Division has already procured and stored approximately 30,000 tents, 68,960 plastic mats, 20,000 blankets and 5,000 mosquito nets for possible disaster response during monsoon season 2012.
Approximately 1.46 million are likely to be assisted through Rescue and Evacuation operations across the country while 29.2 million people are expected to be affected in case a heavy monsoon rainfall hits the country in 2012. According to National Contingency Plan, in KPK 2.9 million people are expected to be affected, in Punjab 7.8 million, Sindh 16.5 million, Balochistan 0.9 million, AJK 0.8 million, Gilgit Baltistan 0.1 million, and in Fata 0.2 million people are expected to be affected in case of heavy monsoon in 2012.
” 
” 
” 
” 
