United efforts needed for providing relief to flood victims: Firdous

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan emphasized the need for united efforts and close liaison among all quarters concerned for the relief and rehabilitation of flood and rain-hit people of Sindh.

Talking to Pakistan Television, the Information Minister said that the purpose of establishing media coordination cells at press clubs of the affected districts of Sindh was to streamline the mechanism for flood relief measures with proper coordination.

She said that the rehabilitation of floods hit people and and infrastructure was a great task for the government and the nation.

She said that with the help of UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) the government had launched National Trust for Population Welfare (NTPW) which would provide food suppliment to 16,000 scattered pregnant women and to mothers which are feeding their babies.

She said that 25 mobile hospitals were in seven districts, which would provide delivery kits, treatment of maternity and gynae problems to women and children in the area.

She said that the information cells would convey the available information to the Provincial Information Ministry which would help the government to prepare further line of action on the basis of reported information.

The Information Minister also announced to convene a conference of the presidents of press clubs of the affected districts to discuss ways and means for providing maximum relief and rehabilitation to the affected people.

She said that after draining out the stagnant rain and flood water, the rehabilitation of affected people would be a gigantic task, which might take six months to accomplish. "We will accomplish the mission through joint efforts," she said.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011