WFP Delegation meets Sindh Chief Secretary and assures full support to help flood victims.
Karachi
A 6-member delegation led by the Deputy Executive Director of the World Food Program (WFP) Ramiro Lopes da Silva met with the Chief Secretary Sindh on Saturday at Sindh Secretariat.
Provincial Health Minister Dr. Azra Pechuho, Parliamentary Secretary Muhammad Qasim Soomro, Secretary Local government Syed Najam Ahmad Shah, Secretary Agriculture and others participated in the meeting, which discussed the latest statistics on food security and nutrition in Sindh.
Chief Secretary Dr. Muhammad Sohail Rajput said that the flood has caused a lot of damage to the crops of 23 districts of the province. “Sindh has been exporting rice, but this year due to rain and floods, the rice crop in the province has been badly affected and will not be available enough for even the domestic use”.
He said that efforts are being made to ensure the wheat crop cultivation for which a program to give free seeds to the farmers is under consideration.
Provincial Health and Population Minister Dr. Ezra Fazal Pechuho said that flood victims in Sindh are being given ration bags by the government. “There is dire need to focus on nutrition needs of pregnant women and children up to 2 years in these areas,” she said.
She further stated that the supply of clean drinking water in the flood-affected areas is being ensured with the help of international organizations.
Executive Deputy Director World Food Program Ramiro Lopes da Silva informed the meeting that the United Nations will launch fresh appeal for another $800 million for Pakistan flood victims on Tuesday as the initial $160 million appeal was insufficient to meet the country’s needs.
He further said that it was difficult to assess the situation in Sindh from the headquarters and after coming here they realized the scale of disaster and that there was a shortage of food. He said that he is going to visit the flood affected areas of Sindh on Sunday.
The delegation of the World Food Program assured to provide all possible assistance to help the flood victims in this difficult time. The world food delegation was comprising of Ms. Binta Bajaha special assistant to DED, Mr. John Aylieff, Regional Director Bangkok, Chris Kaye representative and country director, Rathi Palakrishnan deputy country director, and Ms. Salma Qaqoob officer in-charge Sindh. (PR)
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