DROUGHT - PAKISTAN

UPDATE No. 2
    9^th May 2000
 

Following the initiation of a mass relief operation in the drought stricken areas of Sindh and Balochistan, a meeting was convened by the Cabinet Division, Government of Pakistan on 9^th May 2000, to brief the UN Disaster Management Team. The meeting was attended by Dr. Masuma Hasan, Cabinet Secretary, Mr. Mueen Afzal Secretary General Finance, Mr. Saleem Siddiqui, Additional Secretary (Emergency Relief), Chairman Central Board of Revenue, Provincial Relief Commissioners plus other government functionaries.

The relief commissioners of Balochistan and Sindh made presentations on the drought affected areas with respect to both short and long term operational plans and efforts to mitigate the effects of the disaster. Copy of the brief's shared at the meeting attached for information and record. We have informed the meeting that UN DMT will revert to these submissions once the FAO/WFP food assessment mission to Balochistan and Sindh complete their work.

The meeting was informed about the establishment of Provincial Relief Coordination Committees, which will include on-site operational units. The UN DMT decided to second staff to these Coordination committees to work in collaboration on contingency planning, data collection, delivery of relief services etc.

The government also announced the establishment of a special drought relief fund to alleviate the sufferings of the affectees. The State Bank of Pakistan has directed all nationalized commercial banks, semi-privatized banks to collect donations, both from resident as well as overseas Pakistani's, for providing relief to people in drought hit areas. The cabinet division in consultation with the Finance Division would administer this special fund.

We understand that the Government of Pakistan is not inclined to make an international appeal at this time, however, this does not remove the possibility of making an appeal at a later stage.

In the meantime, the UN Inter agency Drought assessment mission covering Balochistan will be completing their work in the next two weeks, the findings of which would be shared with all concerned offices. The UN DMT decided to field a similar mission for Sindh, which will be initiated in the next 8-10 days, this information was also conveyed to the relief commissioner.

At present, UN System is compiling a list of commodities for supply to the affected families, and in this respect a proposal requesting OCHA's commodity assistance amounting to $ 50, 000 would soon be faxed to OCHA.