ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has dispatched an additional 7.5 tons of humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah caused widespread destruction, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said Monday, killing at least 627 people and displacing millions.
“On the special directives of Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, NDMA today dispatched an additional 7.5 tons of humanitarian relief goods to Colombo,” the agency said in a statement.
The consignment, sent from eastern Pakistani city of Lahore aboard a commercial flight, includes tents, tarpaulins, and powdered milk “meant to support displaced families in the cyclone-hit regions,” according to NDMA.
Following a formal appeal from the Sri Lankan government for international assistance, Pakistan intensified its relief efforts to help affected communities.
NDMA said it is coordinating with airlines to ensure “all available cargo space on commercial flights is fully utilized for the rapid transport of relief items” and that further aid shipments are planned in the coming days.
Since the onset of the disaster, Pakistan has also deployed personnel to assist on the ground. “A dedicated Pakistan Army Search and Rescue team is already operating in the affected areas, conducting life-saving missions and assisting local authorities,” NDMA said.
Pakistan Navy ships and helicopters are also contributing to relief and evacuation operations in coordination with Sri Lankan counterparts.
NDMA reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment, stating the country “stands firmly with the people of Sri Lanka in this difficult hour and will continue to extend all possible assistance to support ongoing rescue and relief efforts.”
Cyclone Ditwah impact
Cyclone Ditwah, the most severe storm to strike Sri Lanka in decades, has killed 627 people and left 190 missing, while affecting more than two million residents, roughly 10 percent of the island nation’s population.
Tens of thousands have been displaced, and heavy flooding and landslides have damaged or destroyed more than 75,000 homes, including nearly 5,000 completely.
Sri Lanka has nearly doubled military deployments in the affected areas, with 38,500 troops now supporting rescue, recovery, and clean-up operations. Army chief Lasantha Rodrigo said, “Since the disaster, security forces have been able to rescue 31,116 people who were in distress.”
Heavy monsoon rains are forecast to continue, with more than 50 millimeters expected in central districts, according to the Disaster Management Centre, which warned of further landslides and flooding.
Recovery and reconstruction costs are estimated at around $7 billion.
With addtional information from AFP
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