Through its Civil Protection Mechanism, the EU is increasing its assistance to Pakistan, one third of which has been devastated by torrential monsoon rains and unprecedented severe flooding, affecting more than 30 million people, 6.4 million of whom need immediate assistance.
In response to the Pakistani authorities’ request for assistance, the EU is coordinating the dispatch of shelters and other emergency equipment offered by five EU Member States, the European Commission announced on Monday 5 September.
Through this coordination, 600 family tents were mobilised, half of which were provided by Belgium and the other half by Sweden. France provided 83 mobile water pumps, 200 family tents, 1,000 ground sheets, 200 kitchen kits, 400 hygiene kits, a team of eight doctors and four technicians as well as a Bailey bridge. Denmark provided a water purification team and Austria 400,000 antigen tests and 10,000 medical gloves.
A liaison officer from the EU Civil Protection Mechanism has been sent to help coordinate the arrival of aid.
Already €1.8 million in emergency humanitarian aid had been mobilised by the EU at the end of August as initial emergency assistance for the most affected populations in the provinces of Sindh, Balochistan, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (see EUROPE 13008/23). This aid has since been increased to €2.15 million, according to the Commission.
The EU has also activated its Copernicus satellite map service to help assess the situation in the most affected areas with accurate data.
“We stand in solidarity with Pakistan and reaffirm our commitment to support people affected by these devastating floods”, said the European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič.
On Friday 2 September, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) called for an urgent international humanitarian response. The needs, in order of priority, are: food, shelter, health, water and sanitation and means of livelihood. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)