China making every effort to help Pakistan fight floods

Luo Zhaohui, chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA), met with Moin ul Haque, Pakistani ambassador to China, on Aug 26.

Luo said that Pakistan has recently suffered rare floods unseen for years, causing heavy casualties and property damage, and that China shares the concern. China and Pakistan are all-weather strategic cooperative partners and iron-clad brothers, having a good tradition of looking out for and supporting each other.

Luo said he still remembers that in 2008, when the earthquake struck Wenchuan, Pakistan helped China at the first given opportunity and sent the last tent from its inventory to the disaster area while promising that Pakistan would dispatch its disaster relief medical team even if its people had to eat leaves as a result of exhaustion of resources.

At that time, he was China's ambassador to Pakistan and experienced this history firsthand, said Luo, adding that China shares the difficulties of Pakistan, and that China is making every effort to support Pakistan in fighting the floods.

The first shipment of China's aid, including 25,000 tents and other urgently needed supplies, would arrive by Aug 30. Meanwhile, China is also willing to provide assistance in the post-disaster reconstruction of Pakistan, said Luo.

On behalf of the Pakistani government and people, Moin expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Chinese government and people for their aid, as well as to the CIDCA for their work in coordinating relief assistance to his country.

Moin briefed on the latest situation in Pakistan, saying that the recent unprecedented flooding has already caused nearly 1,000 deaths and displaced tens of millions of people. According to the meteorological department, there will be heavy rainfall in the coming week, and the situation is very serious. The floods have destroyed crops, washed away roads and bridges, and are often followed by epidemics.

Moin said that Pakistan is asking its Chinese brothers to send relief supplies to the disaster area as soon as possible. The country also looks forward to China's support in the form of food supplies, post-disaster reconstruction, and epidemic prevention and control. In addition, Pakistan expects to receive capacity building aid for long-term disaster prevention and relief in the country, including technical support in meteorology and hydrology.

Luo said the CIDCA is willing to give positive consideration to the Pakistani request.

The two sides agreed to set up a joint working group and designate liaison officials to specifically implement emergency relief and follow-up cooperation.