Qatar launches air bridge to support Pakistan

Doha, The Gulf Observer: In the implementation of the directives by Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the first flights of the air bridge allocated by Qatar to support Pakistan to confront the disaster of torrential rains and floods, which struck large parts of Pakistan, launched yesterday.

The first flight of the air bridge is accompanied by a team from the Qatar International Search and Rescue Group of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) equipped with specialised mechanisms for search and rescue operations, in addition to a medical team with integrated medical equipment to establish field hospitals to support those affected in flood-stricken areas.

The Qatari air bridge also includes sending pumps and special equipment to withdraw water and transport relief aid.

The Standing Committee for Rescue and Relief Works and Humanitarian Aids for Afflicted Areas in Brotherly and Friendly Countries undertakes the task of preparing relief materials and coordinating with the authorities concerned to deliver them to the affected areas.

Recently, under directives by H H the Amir, Qatar provided first batch of urgent aid to Pakistan to deal with situation arising from the floods.

The aid shipment aimed to benefit 35,000 Pakistani individual as part of a relief campaign. It contained 21,000 food baskets, 5,000 tents and 5,000 personal hygiene kits.

Since June this year, Pakistan has been hit with an unsuspected monsoon flooding affecting at least 33 million people. Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) also earlier said that it activated its Disaster Information Management Center (DIMC) on August 7.

DIMC activation aimed to keep QRCS updated about the humanitarian situation and gather real-time information, in coordination with Pakistan Red Crescent Society.

QRCS allocated $100,000 (QR365,000) from its Disaster Response Fund to provide relief for the victims of floods, mitigate the impact of the disaster on them, and meet their basic needs.