KUWAIT CITY, Sept 5: Kuwaiti charities have launched a humanitarian initiative aiming at alleviating the consequences of the recent floods that hit Pakistan. Chairman of the Kuwait Society for Relief Ibrahim Al-Saleh confirmed on Monday that the difficult conditions that Pakistan is experiencing over floods and massive displacement operations contributed to launching the humanitarian campaign. Speaking to KUNA, Al-Saleh said that Pakistan’s current crisis, in coordination with the Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs and a representative from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Community Development, and in collaboration with 27 Kuwaiti charitable societies, accelerated the initiative to provide the needs of Pakistan’s people impacted by this disaster.

The campaign is a continuation of Kuwait’s humanitarian role in providing relief to those tormented around the world, he explained, urging all those contributing to support the campaign. In a similar statement to KUNA, Assistant Foreign Minister for Development and International Cooperation Hamad Al-Mashaan mentioned that the launch of the campaign, in cooperation with Kuwaiti humanitarian organizations, came upon direct cabinet instructions to assign the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the taks of delivering aid to Pakistan. This campaign was a response to the call of the Pakistani government, as the destruction caused fl oods and rains in several provinces on August 24, he added, noting that the Pakistani government declared a state of emergency on August 11.

Response
He underscored that the Kuwaiti response and panic came out of the humanitarian sense that was instilled in the Kuwaiti people to support Pakistan, referring to the depth of the close historical ties that unite Kuwait with the government and Pakistan’s people. In a joint press statement, 27 Kuwaiti charities said that the campaign, which begins Monday for a period of three days, aims to provide medicine, food and shelter for thousands of affected people, as well as to provide urgent relief in terms of medical equipment, first aid, clothes, blankets, tents and other basic needs. Pakistan is witnessing one of the worst humanitarian disasters that without urgent access to medical aid, food, water, shelter, those affected are most exposed to grave risks, the statement said. (KUNA)