Ismaili Imamat to contribute $10m for flood victims in Pakistan

• PM Shehbaz thanks Prince Rahim for imamat's contribution.
• Prince Rahim assures AKDN institutions will be fully engaged in relief efforts.
• Contribution by Prince Rahim is in response to UN’s call.

Ismaili Imamat Sunday announced to contribute$10 million towards flood relief efforts in Pakistan.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thankedPrince Rahim Aga Khan for the Ismaili Imamat's contribution towards alleviating the condition of the people affected by the floods in Pakistan.

Taking to Twitter, the prime minister wrote: "Deeply indebted to His Highness the Aga Khan for the contribution of $10 million for the flood victims in Pakistan."

PM Shehbaz, during a telephonic conversation with the prince, requested him toplay his role in raising awareness about the flood situation in the international community.

Prince Rahim assured him that all Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) institutions will be fully engaged in the relief efforts.

Later, in a statement issued by the AKDN said that half of the donation amount which is equal to $5m will be given to the government of Pakistan while a remaining $5m will be given to the AKDN for relief efforts.

According to the statement, Prince Rahim during conversation with PM Shehbaz said, “I am deeply concerned about the impact of the current floods in Pakistan, which have been intensified by the effects of climate change. These floods, and the many other weather events we are experiencing around the world, require us all governments, businesses, communities, and individuals to redouble our efforts to combat the climate crisis which threatens to engulf us. The institutions of the Ismaili Imamat have been mobilised to support the government in its relief and rehabilitation efforts.”

During the discussion, the Prime Minister expressed appreciation on behalf of the people and Government of Pakistan for the unwavering support of the Ismaili Imamat and the AKDN institutions. He also expressed his deepest respects for the work that the AKDN institutions have been delivering in Pakistan since its independence, read a statement.

As per AKDN, over 8,000 people have been successfully evacuated from affected areas while more than 4,000 families have been provided with food packages since the start of the flooding. Healthcare camps have been set up in several parts of the country by the Aga Khan University and Aga Khan Health Service where over 2,000 flood affected people have been given assistance.

AKDN Helicopter operations have also been assisting in rescue missions and supporting the delivery of food items and medicines to remote areas in Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan, it said.

TheUnited Nations initiated a global flash appeal for $160m after which several influential personalities and organisations have pledged their support for Pakistan’s flood-hit population.

This contribution by Prince Rahim is also in response to the UN’s call.

The death toll from ravaging monsoon floods in Pakistan has neared 1,300, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).