A meeting of office bearers of local Pakistani Canadian organizations in Ottawa was held at the Pakistan High Commission to coordinate the efforts of Canadians living in Pakistan and Canadians of Pakistani origin for relief and rehabilitation of the people affected by floods in Pakistan.
Pakistan High Commissioner Zaheer Janjua, while briefing the participants on the latest situation of the flood, said that the unprecedented rains and floods had caused widespread destruction in a large part of Pakistan. The floods have so far affected 33 million people while more than 1100 human lives have been lost and more than 1600 people have been injured. The number of cattle killed due to floods and rains has also increased to more than 7 lakhs.
Ambassador Zaheer Janjua further said that rains and floods had also caused severe damage to public buildings and infrastructure and so far more than 1 million houses had been partially or completely destroyed and 163 bridges and 170 shops had been destroyed in addition to 3400 kms of roads damaged.
Speaking to the participants of the meeting, Ambassador of Pakistan Zaheer Janjua further said that the Canadian government, especially Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly and Minister of International Development Harjit Sajjan, in their statements had expressed sympathy with the flood-affected people in Pakistan. Similarly, Minister for International Development Harjit Sajjan has announced a $ 5 million aid for the relief and rehabilitation of people affected by floods in Pakistan, for which the people of Pakistan are grateful to the Canadian government and its people, he said.
Zaheer Janjua said that like the government and people of Canada, our nearly five lakh Pakistanis and Pakistanis of Pakistani origin living in Canada should also come forward on the call of their homeland and rise above their personal, political and group prejudices and be united to help our brothers and sisters whose lives and properties have been ravaged by floods in Pakistan.
The meeting was attended by Ms Mashooda Lubna Syed, Mr. Iftikhar Mirza, Mr Mobeen Khaja and officers of the Pakistan High Commission.
Original source: https://mofa.gov.pk/canada-announces-5-million-aid-for-flood-victims-in-pakistan-pak-community-in-canada-also-urged-to-support-flood-relief-effort/