Emergency Aid to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for Disasters Caused by Heavy Rain, Avalanches and Landslides

February 17, 2005

On February 16 (Wed), the Government of Japan decided to extend emergency assistance in kind equivalent to about 21,000,000 yen (roughly two hundred thousands US dollars) including tents, blankets and plastic sheets to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, which has sustained damage from disasters caused by heavy rain, avalanches and landslides.
From the beginning of February a downpour has been continuing intermittently in the southern part of the Balochistan Province, Pakistan, causing floods and disasters including collapses of dams along the coast of the Arabian Sea. The Government of Pakistan has declared 54 persons dead and numerous houses completely or partially destroyed by these floods as of February 15.
Furthermore, continued heavy snowfall in Kashmir and in the mountainous areas in the North West Frontier Province has also generated avalanches and landslides. The Government of Pakistan announced that 327 persons were killed, 258 injured and that at least more than 200 houses were either completely or partly destroyed by the avalanches and landslides as of February 15.
The Government of Pakistan is conducting rehabilitation measures while calling on the international community for emergency assistance.
In light of the above, the Government of Japan decided to extend the abovementioned emergency assistance to Pakistan from a humanitarian point of view based on the friendly relations between Japan and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

(END)