ISLAMABAD: China has offered support to Pakistan in dealing with flood-hit areas, with Beijing’s top diplomat in Islamabad expressing condolences over the nearly 1,000 people killed during this year’s monsoon season.
“China stands with Pakistan in mitigating the impacts of floods and enhancing resilience to climate challenges,” said Shi Yuanqiang, the Chinese chargé d’affaires here on Saturday.
Since June 26, heavy monsoon rains, cloudbursts and flash floods have killed at least 956 people and injured more than 1,060, according to Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
The disaster has affected more than 5.8 million people nationwide, including 4.2 million in Punjab province. Around 2.4 million people have been evacuated, with nearly 94,000 taking shelter in 1,630 relief camps.
Authorities said the rains have damaged 8,481 homes – including 2,216 destroyed – and killed more than 6,500 livestock.
On Friday, Shi led a Chinese Embassy delegation to the National Emergencies Operations Center at NDMA headquarters, where NDMA Chairman Lt. Gen. Inam Haider Malik briefed him on relief and response efforts.
These included coordination with provincial governments and disaster management authorities, as well as evacuations under the Prime Minister’s Relief Assistance programme.
Officials also highlighted the centre’s disaster early warning systems, risk communication measures, anticipatory actions and simulation exercises aimed at aligning with global best practices.
