THARPARKAR/ISLAMABAD/LAHORE - Despite frequent announcements and video footages being shown on television channels, several of the famine-hit areas of Tharparkar are still without any aid forcing the affectees to move to other places where relief operation is under way.
Assuring the Sindh government of federal government’s full support over Thar situation, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Sunday ordered provision of MI-17 helicopter to the provincial government for airlifting affected inhabitants of the area.
The prime minister also directed all the concerned departments to provide succour to the affected families in this hour of distress. According to a press statement, the prime minister office was keeping the prime minister abreast of the situation in Thar on daily basis.
Nawaz Sharif will visit worst drought-hit Tharparkar district today (Monday) and would likely announce an aid package for the affected people.
Prime Minister Office was in contact with the Sindh government to have firsthand information about the relief activities.
Federal Information Minister Pervaiz Rasheed in media interaction also confirmed Prime Minister's visit in Tharparkar and said that keeping in view the gravity of the situation Premier Sharif has cancelled some important engagements in Federal Capital and decided to himself visit the people in distress.
Meanwhile in another development Chief Justice of Pakistan has also taken suo moto notice of the Tharparker drought and directed the Sindh Government to present detailed report on the relief activities being carried out in these areas.
Moreover, upon the prime minister’s directions, NDMA was in contact with Sindh PDMA and offered all kind of support and assistance. Senior officials of Pakistan army were also keeping the premier updated about the situation in Thar, the statement said.
A Pakistan Air Force C-130 carrying edibles for the people of drought-stricken areas of Tharparkar landed at Talhar, a forward airfield of PAF on the instructions of Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, Chief of the Air Staff.
The PAF C-130 airlifted food supplies for quick distribution to the drought stricken areas of Thar.
The C-130 relief goods included milk, medicines and food items and were handed over by Base Commander PAF Base Faisal, Air Commodore Zahid Kiyani to the District Coordination Officer (DCO) Badin on behalf of all ranks and files of Pakistan Air Force for distribution in the Mithi, Diplo and Chachro, the affected Tehsils of Tharparkar, Sindh.
According to a private TV channel, at least five more children died of malnutrition and famine in Chachro tehsil of drought-hit Tharparkar.
The death toll crossed 200 after five more casualties on Sunday media reports said; however, the Sindh government contradicted numbers, confirming 153 deaths in three months.
Chachro is among those areas of Tharparkar where the Sindh government hasn't started relief operation. Dozens of children are admitted to public and private hospitals of the district. Several prominent members of the Sindh government visited the famine-hit areas but relief activities are still facing delay due to which the affectees are forced to move to other places.
Meanwhile, relief activities are underway in drought-hit Tharparkar district where over 130 children have died due to malnutrition or negligence over the past few weeks.
Although, the Sindh government announced to kick off its relief activities while hundreds of affected families across the district are still awaiting food aid from the authorities. Reports said that the distribution work has not so far been started despite the fact that 60,000 wheat bags have arrived in Mithi, the district headquarter of Thar.
On the other hand, Pakistan Army, Sindh Rangers and various NGOs have set up their relief camps and more relief camps will also be set up at Mithi‚ Chachhro‚ Nangarparker‚ Islamkot, Diplo and other areas.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said that the federal government would render full cooperation to Sindh for rehabilitation of affectees. Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif also offered aid to Sindh; however reports said the aid offer has been rejected by the provincial government.
The Sindh government has announced Rs100 million food package for Tharparkar which is spread over 22,000 square kilometres with a population of about 1.5 million residing in 2,300 villages and urban settlements.
Malnutrition has increased manifold the number of children admitted to hospital. Around 375 children have been brought to Mithi hospital during last 24 hours. The affectees have stated that they could not afford the treatment of their children as they themselves were starving.
In recent days, thousands of families have been affected by the drought which compelled them to leave their homes and move to other areas in search of water. Hundreds of domestic animals and peacocks have died in the desert due to outbreak of disease.