PRESS RELEASE N0: JPNEMPAK 11-29

Islamabad: 21st September, 2011

Relief goods procured by the Government of Japan for the people affected by recent devastating floods in the Sindh Province of Pakistan arrived at Hyderabad on 21st September. In conjunction with the arrival, a brief but auspicious ceremony took place on 21st September at Prime Minister’s Secretariat in Islamabad. At the ceremony, Japanese Ambassador Mr. Hiroshi OE handed over the list of relief goods, i.e., 3,500 tents and 1,006,900 water purification tablet, to Dr. Zafar Iqbal Qadir, Chairman of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
Considering the friendly relation between the two countries and the scale of the flood disaster, the Government of Japan has decided to provide its support on humanitarian grounds. The Government of Japan has announced on 9th September to provide emergency relief goods worth approx. USD 450,000. In addition, 20th September, the Government of Japan decided to extend emergency grant, as additional assistance to the flood damage, of USD 10 million to Pakistan, in response to the UN Rapid Response Plan launched on September 18.
At the ceremony, a Japanese Parliamentarian delegation, Mr. Yasutoshi NISHIMURA, House of Representatives member and Mr. Hirobumi NIKI, House of Representatives member, visiting Islamabad for the Polio Eradication Campaign, was also present to witness the signing. The Japanese Parliamentarians remarked that Japan wished these relief goods to be delivered to the flood victims as soon as possible. They hoped that this assistance would contribute in supporting the affected people and would help in the ongoing relief efforts of the Government of Pakistan. (END)