The major requirement of the flood survivors right now is food, for which wheat flour is essential, said Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah on Wednesday during a meeting held at the Chief Minister’s House to discuss a scheme of free wheat flour for the affectees.
Shah said a scheme of free wheat flour supply is being considered by the Sindh Food Department, for which an effective programme is to be chalked out soon. National Database Registration Authority Chairman Ali Arshad Hakeem said the authority had established 11 centres in Badin for issuance of ‘Pakistan cards’, 16 in Shaheed Benazirabad, and three in Tando Muhammad Khan. Hakeem said the number of centres in Badin is being increased to 16 now, and nine in Tando Muhammad Khan.
He suggested employing a one-window operation for distribution of relief, and stressed approving the plan of providing quantity wheat flour to each affected family on weekly or monthly basis. After the detailed discussion, it was decided that complete assessment of losses, number of people affected, and district-wise requirement of wheat flour be finalised so that the flood survivors could be supplied wheat flour for daily consumption.
The chief minister ordered the participants of the meeting to give top priority to the relief and rehabilitation task, and provide assistance to the affectees as soon as possible. Separately, the chief minister also held a meeting with the representatives of the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank regarding the assessment of the post-flood requirements.
He informed the delegation that almost all parts of the province have suffered massive damages due to the unprecedented heavy rains, particularly 13 of the 23 districts, which were adversely affected. He said over 8.1 million people are without shelter, whereas some 400 people and over 100,000 animals had been killed during this monsoon. He stressed upon the delegation to complete their assessment of the damages and losses as soon as possible so that the relief and rehabilitation process could be carried out on war-footing basis.
He also said due to the damages to the crops and inundation of vast acres of lands, the economy of the province has been adversely affected, which could create socio-economic problems and unemployment in the affected areas in the future. The delegation informed the chief minister that their survey is in full swing and is expected to be completed soon, whereas the assistance so approved would be extended accordingly.
Shah asked the delegation to expedite the assessment process as there is acute need of food, shelter, medicines and potable water for the rain-affected people.
