Saudi Arabia announces relief package for calamity-hit people in Gwadar

ISLAMABAD: Saudi Arabia has announced relief package for the calamity-hit people of Gwadar, where torrential rains have caused havoc, damaging hundreds of homes and rendering people displaced.

Saudi Ambassador Nawaf bin Saeed Ahmad Al-Maliky visited Balochistan and announced relief package for the calamity-ravaged people of the port city.

Announcing the relief measures, the Saudi envoy assured the people that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will help its Pakistani brethren in this difficult time.

Earlier, the Saudi envoy had a detailed meeting with Balochistan Chief Minister Sardar Sarfraz Bugti and ascertained the magnitude of losses. Ambassador Nawaf Al-Maliky announced 9,000 shelter camps and ration bags each for the Gwadar people.

After announcing the assistance, he chanted the slogans of ‘Pakistan Zindabad’ and ‘Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Bhai Bhai’.

Meanwhile, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti paid his gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for announcing the relief package for the people of Balochistan. “Climate change is a huge challenge for all of us. Gwadar received record rains this year and we are trying hard to rehabilitate the victims,” said Bugti.

Gwadar was declared a calamity-hit area after torrential rains struck the port city. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also visited the areas of the coastal city after assuming the office.

As many as 3,100 houses in Gwadar and 2,500 in Jiwani were damaged due to heavy rains. Besides, 95 houses were completely destroyed and more than 200 cattle were perished.

The officials said that 355 people were accommodated in the government residences and 800 people were rescued and shifted to their relatives’ homes. The Pakistan Army and Pakistan Navy established medical camps to provide health facilities to the victims.