ISLAMABAD (NNI) Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has urged the international organisations to assist Pakistan in the relief and rehabilitation of the flood-affected population, particularly in efforts to prevent outbreak of epidemics. He said that there are immediate requirements of tents, packed food, drinking water, mobile clinics fitted with diagnostics equipment and medicines to quell the threat of epidemics in the affected areas. The Prime Minister was talking to Director General of the Turkish Red Crescent Society Omer Tasli, who called on him along with a delegation at PMs House here Saturday. Recalling the valuable contributions of the Turkish Red Crescent Society in the relief, rescue and rehabilitation during the 2005 earthquake, the prime minister hoped that in the present natural calamity they would exhibit the same kind of spirit. He said that his government is determined to turn this challenge into an opportunity for rebuilding the flood-affected areas. Prime Minister Gilani underlined the need for imparting training to the Pakistani Red Crescent Society and other organisations to make them more effective to handle such natural disasters. The Prime Minister thanked the Turkish government for their assistance to mitigate the sufferings of their Pakistani brethren in this hour of trial. He especially mentioned the scheduled visit of the Ms Tayyap Erdogan, wife of the Turkish Prime Minister, to Pakistan early next month in this regard. Omer Tasli informed the Prime Minister that the Turkish Red Crescent Society has been providing assistance in the relief and rescue operation in Nowshera and Muzaffargarh by establishing shelters, providing food packs and medical treatment to the flood-affected. He said that the scope of operation is now broadened and more affected areas of Southern Punjab are being included for this purpose. He apprised that two mobile hospitals, 1,200 tons of fruit and 2,000 tents would be reaching in the coming days which would be distributed in the southern Punjab. The Prime Minister, while applauding the initiatives of the Turkish Red Crescent, said that he would ask Ms Hina Rabbani Khar to coordinate the relief and rehabilitation activities in the southern Punjab. The Turkish Red Crescent delegation included Country Representative Hakki Erosy and Rehabilitation Programme Coordinator Alpe Iluca.