ISLAMABAD: British High Commissioner Christian Turner Saturday visited flood-hit villages in Nowshera, where a UK Charity Islamic Relief is providing lifesaving aid to flood-affected people.
HC Dr Turner also visited village Kakol Abad where he met with the affected communities. Expressing sorrow at the losses incurred during the flooding, he assured that the UK continued support, said a spokesperson for the British High Commission in Islamabad.
Talking to the media, the British HC said: “The people I have met today are strong and will rebuild. But they need urgent support with water, sanitation, and shelter. The UK is helping provide that. The standard you walk past is the standard you accept.”
The standard you walk past is the standard you accept. In Nowshera district KP to understand the #FloodsInPakistan impact & see the relief effort helping with food, shelter, sanitation & healthcare 1/2 pic.twitter.com/lV1dMZxpfO
— Christian Turner (@CTurnerFCDO) September 3, 2022
Accompanied by Islamic Relief Worldwide’s CEO Waseem Ahmad and Islamic Relief Pakistan’s Country Director Asif Sherazi, the UK HC witnessed first-hand the devastating impact of the climate catastrophe. Expressing solidarity with the people at the camp, Dr Turner reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to Pakistan and observed the community’s challenges and efforts to support those affected.
During emergency relief, maintaining dignity is of utmost importance for us.
Today British High Commissioner @CTurnerFCDO visited Nowshera with me to witness the flood destruction and timely relief efforts by Islamic Relief. Thank you @UKinPakistan for the support pic.twitter.com/bELX0yxsM4
— Waseem Ahmad (@waseemahmadirw) September 3, 2022
He visited Nowshera, days after the UK announced an additional £15 million to help affected communities. This money will be spent for urgent lifesaving support and will go towards water and sanitation, shelter and home repairs, and primary healthcare, especially for women and girls.
On the occasion, Islamic Relief Country Director Asif Sherazi also talked with media and said “the situation is worsening with every passing day and in terms of damages, it is surpassing the floods of 2010. We are on ground since August 3 meeting the needs of the affected across the country with shelters, clean drinking water, cash grants, food and hygiene items. Till now we have reached 30,000 people with lifesaving aid that will be doubled in the next week. The aim is to support half a million under our emergency response. Since the needs are huge and dire, we appreciate the UK’s increased support for the humanitarian response and the DEC appeal. We urge the UK government and other countries for increased funding for the recovery phase too.”
Islamic Relief is a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) that launched the Pakistan Floods Appeal to collect funds for relief efforts; the UK government has announced it will match pound for pound the first £5 million of public donations, as part of the total £15 million pledge.
