TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Minister of Planning Ahsan Iqbal said flash floods in Jakarta Pakistani caused a loss of more than 10 billion US dollars, or about 148 trillion rupees. He called on the global community to help Pakistan overcome the effects of climate change.
Flash floods caused by monsoon rains in Pakistan have washed away roads, crops, infrastructure and bridges. The death toll has been recorded at at least 1,000 people in recent weeks and affects more than 33 million people, or around 15% of the country’s population.
“People have really completely lost their livelihoods,” said Ahsan Iqbal. Reuterscited Tuesday, August 30, 2022.
Iqbal said yesterday’s floods were the worst to hit Pakistan in 2010. The United Nations (UN) has called for the biggest disaster of all time.
The minister said it might take five years to rebuild and rehabilitate the nation. He himself fears that there will be an acute food crisis in the near future.
To ease food shortages, Finance Minister Miftah Ismail said the country may consider importing vegetables from rival India. In fact, the two neighboring countries have not exchanged for a long time.
“We can consider importing vegetables from India,” Ismail told local television. Geo News. He added that other possible sources of food imports include Turkey and Iran.
Food prices have soared due to flooded crops and impassable roads. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was saddened by the devastation caused by the floods.
The Chinese government said on Monday August 29, 2022 that it would provide additional humanitarian aid to Pakistan, including $300,000 in cash and 25,000 tents. China has sent 4,000 tents, 50,000 blankets and 50,000 waterproof tarpaulins to Pakistan.
According to Chinese state media, President Xi Jinping also called Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to express his condolences to Mr. Flash floods so bad. Meanwhile, the Government of Canada, on Monday, August 29, 2022, announced funding of US$5 million, or approximately 74 billion rupees, for humanitarian assistance in flood-stricken Pakistan.
Read: Floods, Pakistani Foreign Ministry calls for help
Reuters
