Pakistan was hit by waves of floods this year while it was recovering from the devastating effect of last year’s floods. The flood waters triggered by monsoon rains have paralyzed life and left millions homeless. The IHH Humanitarian Relief Foundation has been assisting the Pakistani people to recover. Firdous Ashiq Awan, Pakistan’s Information Minister and Government Spokesperson, paid a visit to the IHH head office and thanked the foundation’s donors, stressing the significance of IHH operations in Pakistan.
Minister Awan was accompanied during the visit to the IHH headquarters by Pakistani ambassador in Ankara Muhammad Haroon Shaukat and a delegation. Awan spoke to IHH President Bülent Yıldırım and said the latest floods that hit Pakistan were bigger in extent than last year’s floods. She said the Pakistani people needed people of Turkey more than ever and appreciated IHH help in the region.
The minister and delegation shared ideas with IHH officials about fighting floods in Pakistan. Following the meeting at the IHH headquarters Yıldırım gave Awan a painting and a model of Masjid al-Aqsa saying “I give this model to you as an entrustment. Pakistan is a powerful country. We should protect Masjid al-Aqsa together if we want peace in the world.”
The IHH had sent to flood-stricken Pakistan a cargo plane carrying 35 tons of humanitarian supplies and 45 tons of durable foodstuffs, medication, medical equipment, hygiene kits, textile products, shoes, construction materials, tents, blankets and prefabricated houses with a nine-wagon train. It also opened three orphanages for orphan children and is continuing relief efforts in the country.