Responding to tragedy: Air force provides helicopter as relief goods pour into Thar

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
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It’s great to see the Pakistani military, government and civilians coming together to help their countrymen in this time of need. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Sindh and we hope that this situation is quickly brought under control without further loss of life. Check out this news article that talks about the relief efforts taken by the Pakistani military.

Responding to tragedy: Air force provides helicopter as relief goods pour into Thar – The Express Tribune

*RAWALPINDI: Government and non-government agencies, along with the armed forces stepped up efforts to provide relief to famine-hit areas of Thar on Tuesday, Radio Pakistan](http://radio.gov.pk/newsdetail-65952) *****reported.

**The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) said they had stepped up efforts to provide relief.

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) chairman Major General Muhammad Saeed Haleem said they were providing vaccine to the livestock in Thar and that the situation was improving after relief operations.

Meanwhile‚ Director General PDMA Sindh Syed Suleiman Shah said his teams were trying to reaching each and every affected village.

Army increases medical camps

In light of the adverse situation, the Army has increased the number of medical camps treating affected people to six.
An ISPR spokesperson in Rawalpindi said that the total number of medical camps have been established in Mithi‚ Islamkot‚ Diplo‚ Nagarparkar‚ Chachro and Khniser.

Army medical teams‚ including lady doctors and child specialists claimed that they have have so far treated 3,500 patients in the last three days.

The official added that over 100 tons of ration have so far been distributed.

PAF dispatches helicopter

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on Tuesday dispatched an MI-17 transport helicopter to assist the Sindh government in dispensing medicines and relief goods in drought affected Tharparker district on the orders of the Prime Minister.
According to a PAF press release, the helicopter will also be used for evacuating patients who require emergency medical care and for aerial drops of food items in far flung areas.

Earlier, on the special instructions of Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, a PAF C-130 had transported 35,000 lbs of relief goods to PAF base, Talhar for distribution in Tharparker.

NGOs provide relief goods
Non-government organisations have also started sending relief goods to Tharparkar.
The first such consignment, carrying dry milk and medicines, arrived in Mithi on Tuesday.

Haroon Ahmad
DET - U.S. Central Command

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Re: Responding to tragedy: Air force provides helicopter as relief goods pour into Th

^^^^^^^
In future, I hope these agencies act in advance before another disaster hit these poor people.

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Re: Responding to tragedy: Air force provides helicopter as relief goods pour into Th

Yep these agencies should act, as its not in PPP's dictionary to improve their governance.

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Re: Responding to tragedy: Air force provides helicopter as relief goods pour into Th

I think it's safe to say that most countries around the world, even the so called developed nations, have, or will, at some point face this kind of disaster readiness issue. We all need to improve upon our existing methods of how we deal with such situations.

God Bless the affected

Haroon Ahmed
DET - U.S. Central Command
www.facebook.com/centcomurdu

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Re: Responding to tragedy: Air force provides helicopter as relief goods pour into Th

Katrina was one time thing. But such disasters happen almost every year in Thar. I grew up hearing about it all the time.
Sindh provincial government did not even prepare for something which everyone knows happens regularly.

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Re: Responding to tragedy: Air force provides helicopter as relief goods pour into Th

tsk tsk. So now army is to blamed for it? What about the government which knew very well about the dire situation, and even had the wheat bags ready BUT did not distribute them because money was not released?

Army and other relief agencies jump in only when situation gets out of hand of the government. The situation could have been controlled easily without help from any agencies had government done its job.

if you think the agencies should have gotten involved earlier then it means the situation was out of hand of the government. Yet government continues to say to this day that it does not need any help from anyone including army and other agencies. And that everything is normal.
so please make up your mind before posting.

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Re: Responding to tragedy: Air force provides helicopter as relief goods pour into Th

[Quote=CENTCOM]
**RAWALPINDI: Government and non-government agencies, along with the armed forces stepped up efforts to provide relief to famine-hit areas of Thar on Tuesday, **Radio Pakistan](http://radio.gov.pk/newsdetail-65952)**reported.
[/quote]

I think you are not blind.**

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Re: Responding to tragedy: Air force provides helicopter as relief goods pour into Th

According to news item of my thread on the subject, CM said, he authorized 60000 bags of wheat in December 2013. What happened to this distribution is under investigation by CS.

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Re: Responding to tragedy: Air force provides helicopter as relief goods pour into Th

And what do you think be result of this investigation?

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Re: Responding to tragedy: Air force provides helicopter as relief goods pour into Th

An appropriate action has already been taken even before investigations. Bureaucrats and lower officials involved will definitely be taken up after fixing the responsibility by Chief Secretary who by the way represents federal government working under the Governor Sindh.

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