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Wheat bags given to 186,000 Thar drought-hit families
* Sindh government says around 77 people have died in the drought
KARACHI: Adviser to Sindh Chief Minister Taj Haider has said that out of 259,000 families of drought-affected Tharparkar, wheat bags have been distributed among 186,000 families.
Talking to Daily Times, he said all-out efforts with effective measures are being made to provide maximum relief to people of Tharparkar. Haider said that CM of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has vowed to send four mobile hospitals for the Thar. “I called CM Khyber Pakhtunkhwa today and thanked him for his government’s overall help efforts they did in the need of the hour. We are also thankful to governments of Punjab and Balochistan for their support,” said the PPP leader.
When asked about CM Sindh’s announcement of compensation money, he said a strategy is being sorted out on the distribution of amount of money. Regarding PM’s aid-package of Rs 1 billion for the drought-hit Tharparkar, he said so far the promised money has not reached. However, different proposals are under consideration in this regard. He hoped that things would start improving in next few days. “Since the media has started departing from the area, things would improve in coming days,” said Haider in a lighter vain.
Meanwhile, the provincial government has said that around 77 people have died, but independent sources contest the figure and put it at 140. “According to my knowledge the death toll in the drought-hit Tharparkar district has reached to to 77,” said Taj Haider. Sindh Minister Food Jam Mehtab Hussain Dahar has said on Friday that Food Department Sindh has provided 87,500 wheat bags to Relief Department Sindh, and most of the wheat bags have been provided to drought hit people of Thar. On the other hand Sindh Government has opened an account bearing No. 03031200181000 titled “Chief Minister’s Relief Fund” in the Sindh Bank operated anywhere in Pakistan, for general public to contribute to this fund to meet the challenges in draught affected areas.
On the other hand Pakistan Rangers Sindh has distributed more than 110 tons of edible items in drought affectees of Thar. According to official statement, the edibles were distributed in shape of ration packs, which contained flour, rice, daals, milk powder, sugar, spices, ghee and tea. Bottles of drinking water and juices were also provided. A truck loaded of medicines has already reached the affected areas while another truck loaded with medicines will be dispatched tomorrow.
It is worth mentioning that rangers’ medical camps established in the far-flung areas around Diplo, Veerwah and Islamkot have facilitated more than 3000 patients in the area. Pakistan Rangers Sindh to facilitate the citizens of Karachi who wish to contribute in drought relief effort have designated its Wing HQs as collection points for the donations. It is also clarified that no cash donations will be accepted and individuals wish to donate in cash can only deposit in A/C Number: EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND, ACCOUNT NUMBER: 002165051078-6 , Askari Commercial Bank Ltd, Saima Trade Tower, I.I. Chundrigar Road, Karachi.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk