ISLAMABAD    -   Federal Minister NHSR&C Abdul Qadir Patel said that the humani­tarian services rendered by PRCS and IFRC in the flood-hit areas are highly commendable, people are in dire need of food, non-food, shelter and rehabilitation and the government looks forward to the support of international organisa­tions in mitigating the sufferings of the distressed people in flood-hit areas of Pakistan. 

Abdul Qadir Patel expressed these views when PRCS Chairman Sardar Shahid Ahmed Laghari and the IFRC delegation headed by Under Sec­retary General Xavier Castellanos called on him at Parliament House. 

Matters of mutual interests, flood situation in Pakistan and fu­ture plans regarding the provision of relief and rehabilitation services to the flood-affected families were discussed during the meeting. 

Speaking on the occasion, Abdul Qadir Patel stressed upon develop­ing cohesive strategies and plans for providing health and care ser­vices to the flood victims suffer­ing from water-borne diseases and especially for the pregnant wom­en who are in dire need of health and care support. “The flood-hit ar­eas were already under privileged and we all have to work together to overcome these challenges, Red Crescent has been a great partner and we are hopeful that together with the support of PRCS and IFRC we will be able to support the af­fected families in a much more ef­ficient way,” he added.

PRCS Chairman Sardar Shahid Ahmed Laghari briefed the minister about PRCS rescue and relief ser­vices in flood-hit areas. He said that PRCS together with the support of IFRC and Red Cross Red Crescent Movement partners would expand its relief operation in flood-hit ar­eas to help people in all operational phases from relief to rehabilitation. He said PRCS has installed 8 water treatment plants in different dis­tricts of the country that are provid­ing thousands of litters of safe and drinkable water to communities in flood-ravaged areas. 

Speaking on the occasion, IFRC under Secretary General Xavi­er Castellanos said that IFRC reaf­firmed its commitment to support PRCS and the government of Paki­stan in its humanitarian endeav­ours. Xavier said that IFRC will ex­pand its support to PRCS for the relief and rehabilitation of flood-hit populations.