Pakistan Army continues relief work for affectees of floods: ISPR

[air marshal]

No PR327/2010-ISPR
Rawalpindi - August 15, 2010:

Pakistan Army devotedly working to provide all possible relief to stranded people in the flood affected areas of Sindh, Punjab, KPK and Northern Areas.

Pakistan Army Troops have evacuated more than 7,000 people from Larkana, Jacobabad, Khairpur, Noshero Feroz and provided cooked food, water and first aid in last 24 hours. Army Engineers are working on war footing to open road link between Multan-Dera Ghazi Khan and have restored road Skardu-Olding and road Skardu-Dassu. 18 dewatering pumps have been transported from Karachi to Rhim Yar Khan through special C- 130.

To meet the requirement of POL in Northern Areas, 6000 liters at Gilgit and 10,800 liters at Skardu have been transported through C-130. 20 people have been rescued through Helicopter from Gilgit, Ghizer Valley and Skardu to safer places.

Army Mobile Medical Teams have provided free medical treatment to over 3,000 patients in flood affected areas of KPK. 20 Trucks carrying tents, medicines, blankets and ration have been dispatched to Upper and Lower Dir. Army Troops have repaired the damaged Bridges on Peshawar-Torkham at Ali Masjid, Bangot, Jalawan, Fizza Ghat, Hazara, Bat Khel and Takhtaband.

 

[Solomon2]

It's all too little. The U.N. says 20,000,000 people displaced. I figure that requires a minimum of 100,000 TONS of aid every ten days. An Army truck might carry five tons, an ordinary tractor-trailer forty, a tank transporter seventy. So EVERY DAY Pakistan needs to equip the equivalent of 250 tractor-trailers to provide relief to the displaced populace. It doesn't sound like Pakistanis have dispatched even a tenth of the required amount.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

It's all too little. The U.N. says 20,000,000 people displaced. I figure that requires a minimum of 100,000 TONS of aid every ten days. An Army truck might carry five tons, an ordinary tractor-trailer forty, a tank transporter seventy. So EVERY DAY Pakistan needs to equip the equivalent of 250 tractor-trailers to provide relief to the displaced populace. It doesn't sound like Pakistanis have dispatched even a tenth of the required amount.

When so many roads and bridges are wiped out and water still has not dissipated from many affected areas, ground transport is simply not feasible, even if the necessary vehicles and supplies were available. That is why the US committed 19+ choppers to assist the 30+ Pakistan was using. And helicopter flights were impacted by bad weather in the initial days, so there was simply no way (other than pack animals, which were in fact used by the Army, since it maintains stables of them for use in mountainous regions) to move relief supplies.

 

[Solomon2]

They're sending 20 trucks, which implies the roads are intact. So they should be sending at least 200. How powerful is a Pakistani infantry division? 5,000 men and 400 vehicles? Many of them tracked to travel cross-country, yes? So all that's being sent is a fingernail's worth. It's like the commanders see the disaster as an opportunity to get rid of old stuff plus a few spares, not the battle for survival that it is for their countrymen.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

They're sending 20 trucks, which implies the roads are intact. So they should be sending at least 200. How powerful is a Pakistani infantry division? 5,000 men and 400 vehicles? Many of them tracked to travel cross-country, yes? So all that's being sent is a fingernail's worth. It's like the commanders see the disaster as an opportunity to get rid of old stuff plus a few spares, not the battle for survival that it is for their countrymen.

20 Trucks carrying tents, medicines, blankets and ration have been dispatched to Upper and Lower Dir. Army Troops have repaired the damaged Bridges on Peshawar-Torkham at Ali Masjid, Bangot, Jalawan, Fizza Ghat, Hazara, Bat Khel and Takhtaband.

You want 'at least 200 trucks' dispatched to Dir districts alone? What about the rest of the millions that need assisting? What do you think the total amount of resources dedicated is?

Also, note that in this case ground transport was possible because the damaged bridges were repaired - that may not have been done everywhere, and obviously takes time to do and therefore takes time to actually start delivering supplies through ground transport.

 

[Solomon2]

20 Trucks carrying tents, medicines, blankets and ration have been dispatched to Upper and Lower Dir. Army Troops have repaired the damaged Bridges on Peshawar-Torkham at Ali Masjid, Bangot, Jalawan, Fizza Ghat, Hazara, Bat Khel and Takhtaband.

You want 'at least 200 trucks' dispatched to Dir districts alone? What about the rest of the millions that need assisting? What do you think the total amount of resources dedicated is?

Not nearly enough to any province, but supply in excess now to regions one can reach so that the others can be supplied in quantity once access is restored:

Earlier Sunday, survivors fought over food being handed out from a relief vehicle close to the town of Sukkur in hard-hit Sindh province, ripping at each others' clothes and causing such chaos that the distribution had to be abandoned, according to an Associated Press reporter at the scene.

"The impatience of the people has deprived us of the little food that had come," said Shaukat Ali, a flood victim waiting for food.

Waters five feet (1.5 meters) deep washed through Derra Allah Yar, a city of 300,000 people on the border of Sindh and Baluchistan provinces, said government official Salim Khoso. About 200,000 had fled the city and Khoso said he did not know how they would be fed.

"We are here like beggars," said Mukhtar Ali, a 45-year-old accountant living on the side of a highway along with thousands of other people. "The last food we received was a small packet of rice yesterday and 15 of us shared that."

250 tractor-trailers of aid a day, every day, for the next ten days. Or else people start dying by the tens of thousands. Or maybe that nice accountant will be compelled to become a cannibal.

 

[GUNNER]

Pakistan military enhances image with flood relief effort


By Zeeshan Haider

NOWSHERA

Pakistan (Reuters) - With little aid from a weak civilian government, many Pakistani flood victims are pinning hopes on the military as the only institution capable of helping them rebuild their lives.

Survivors of the country's worst floods in history are increasingly impatient over a lack of food and relief goods, and are criticizing President Asif Ali Zardari's government for mismanagement.

"The military has improved its stature because they know that it is the time that they can demonstrate to the people that they can come to their rescue when civilians fail," security and political analyst Hasan Askari Rizvi said.

"This is the game that ultimately undermines civilians in Pakistan."

The sheer magnitude of the disaster in an area roughly the size of England would have tested any government, but the Islamabad's response -- particularly Zardari's European trip when the floods unfolded -- contrasted with prompt army help.

"The government has thrown us here like dogs. No one cares about us," says laborer Kifayat Khan, standing at a relief center in the northwestern town of Nowshera as dirty-faced children played in deep mud.

"Government leaders and politicians come here just for media publicity, just for photographs. They have not given us any help," he complained.

As Khan spoke, a man in a gathered crowd shouted "Army Zindabad (long live). They saved my brother from drowning. They saved us from the jaws of death.

Almost everyone at the relief center set up at the sprawling Government College of Technology in flood-battered Nowshera praised the army.

"The soldiers have set up these tents for us and gave us food but they have gone now," said Gul Bibi, a 40-year-old woman, holding her shirtless son in her lap. "Now we are not getting much help."

Many Pakistanis are ambivalent about the army. While they welcomed the return of democracy in 2008 after military President Pervez Musharraf's fall, perceived graft and political bickering in Zardari's government have made many nostalgic.

While nostalgia does not meant the army will return to power in a coup, it underscores the fragile line that Zardari must negotiate with the most powerful institution in Pakistan.

"It's only the army which is working day and night. It is because of the army that we are here," said Mohammad Munshi Shah, who fled to Muzaffarabad in Punjab province along with 23 family members after floods swept away his village.

Despite its enhanced image, the army is unlikely to rise against the unpopular Zardari at a time when it is fighting a growing insurgency by militants linked to al Qaeda and Taliban.

"The Army has improved its image domestically and it wants to improve its image internationally by fighting militants," Rizvi said.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

^^^ Watching some of the Pakistani TV coverage of the floods online the last couple of days, what was striking was the change in tone of the IDP's when they started talking about the Army efforts.

Some of the reporters then started specifically asking the IDP's whether they would prefer the Army return to manage the relief effort (no prizes on guessing what the answer was). This was true in multiple camps the TV stations covered.

Local relief efforts are apparently supposed to be coordinated by the DCO and provincial and district disaster teams, and the Army is handing off management of the camps and relief efforts to the local administration and moving on to other locations as they get through the initial phase of rescuing and immediate relief efforts.

Some criticizm on this count of the PML-N's dilution of local governments - apparently that has been one major reason why local relief efforts were so low to start off - the Sharif's had centralized everything.

 

[air marshal]

No PR332/2010-ISPR
Rawalpindi - August 17, 2010:

Pakistan Army Engineers worked tirelessly round the clock and opened Chakdara Bridge, Besham and Skardu road for all types of traffic. Army has recued more than 6 lacs stranded people in the flood affected areas of Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, KPK and Gilgit Baltistan.

Army has distributed 1130 tons of rations from its quota and are providing cooked food and free medical treatment to marooned people in Relief Camps. From Lahore, 90 Trucks of relief items have been dispatched to DG Khan Laayyah, Rajanpur, Kot Addu, and KPK. Aerial Rope between Bagh Dheri and Sakhra has been made operational. 5 water points have been established at Nowshera Kalan and Sais Mandi and supplied 8, 7000 liters waters to flood affected people. The chair lift at Balambat - Timergara Bridge has also been activated to facilitate the local population.

Similarly road Muzaffargarh-Dera Ghazi Khan has been opened by Pakistan Army Engineers and NHA after an exhaustive effort.

In Southern Punjab, Pakistan Army in collaboration with civil administration is managing over 90 relief camps where more than100 tons of ration is being distributed daily. Army medical teams are also providing medial treatment to the patients in these camps.
In Sindh and Balochistan Army troops rescued more than 7000 people to safer places by helicopters and boats.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

moved the posts related to Pakistan's political scene over here:

http://www.defence.pk/forums/curren...hy-armed-forces-only-reliable-aid-worker.html

 

[air marshal]

Army committed to provide relief for victims

Islamabad August 21 (APP): Relief and rescue efforts by army troops in flood hit areas continue, 12 trucks and a C 130 load of relief goods was dispatched from Gujranwala for flood affected populace of KPK and Quetta respectively here on Saturday.

So far from Gujranwala40 trucks load of relief items have been sent to KPK and 45 tons of ration have been sent to Baluchistan. Similarly from Karachi 539 tons of relief goods have been dispatched to flood affected areas of Sindh.

Pakistan army troops have sent 1735 tons of relief items during last week to flood hit areas of southern Punjab and Sindh from Lahore. Nine trucks of dry ration were distributed at upper Dir and eight trucks of relief items at khel kandao and Naushera.

Nine tons of rations were transported to Chitral through C-130 aircraft. Since 1st August efforts have been to maintain the commodity level in GB through aircraft. So far 36000 liters of diesel have been transported.

Cooked food was provided to 12000 flood affectees in the relief camps and another 13000 kg of dry ration was distributed among the affected people at Rahimyar Kahn.

Army medicals teams are busy round the clock in treating patients in the field hospitals at Muzafrgarh, Sukkhar, Jacobabad, Ghotki, Kashmor and Hyderabad. 45000 patients have been provided medical treatments at Muzafrgarh, Leyyah and Rajinpur while 2000 patients were treated at Rahimyar Khan, 580 patients at Akhunkile and Tahirabad in Swat, 1196 patients at Bagram, Shinku, and Madyan in Kalam, 830 patients at parao in DI Khan and 370 patients at Charsadha

Pakistan Army engineers in collaboration with Punjab highway department has launched a 31 meter long bridge at Sanawan-Karam Dad Qureshi mor (turn).

This bridge will provide access to all type of traffic from DG Khan to Multan. Army engineers have also opened road Alpurai-Karoara for light traffic in Malakand division.

 

[air marshal]

No PR343/2010-ISPR
Rawalpindi - August 21, 2010:

Pakistan Army Engineers in collaboration with Punjab Highway Department has launched a 31 Meter long Bridge at Sanawan-Karam Dad Qureshi Mor (turn), which will provide access to all types of traffic from DG Khan to Multan.

Army Engineers have also opened road Alpurai-Karora for light traffic in Malakand Division. Meanwhile Relief and Rescue efforts by Army troops in flood hit areas continue. Today 12 Trucks and a C-130 load of relief goods was dispatched from Gujranwala for flood affected populace of KPK and Quetta respectively. So far from Gujranwala 40 trucks load of relief items have been sent to KPK and 45 tons of ration have been sent to Balochistan. Similarly from Karachi 539 tons of relief goods have been dispatched to flood affected areas of Sindh. Pakistan Army troops have sent 1735 tons of relief items during last week to flood hit areas of southern Punjab and Sindh from Lahore.

Today nine trucks of dry ration was distributed at upper Dir and 8 trucks of relief items at Khel Kandao and Naushera.

Nine tons of ration was transported to Chitral through C-130 aircraft today. Since August 1st efforts have been to maintain the commodity level in Gilgit Baltistan through air. So far 36000 liters of diesel have been transported, while 8 sorties of C-130 carrying ration have been dispatched to Gilgit-Baltistan.

Cooked food was provided to 12000 flood affectees in the relief camps and another 13000 kg of dry ration was distributed among the affected people at Rahimyar Khan.

Army medical teams are busy round the clock in treating patients in the field hospitals at Muzaffargarh, Sukkur, Jacobabad, Ghotki, Kashmor and Hyderabad, Jaffarabad and Charsadda. So far 4500 patients have been provided medical treatment at Muzaffargarh, Leyyah and Rajanpur while 2000 patients were treated at Rahimyar Khan, 580 patients at Akhunkille and Tahirabad in Swat, 1196 patients at Bagram, Shinku, Madyan in Kalam,830 patients at Parao in DI Khan and 370 patients at Charsadda.

Frontier Works Organization have completed Engineer Bridge at Kayak Nullah on KKH and opned the road.

 

[air marshal]

 

[air marshal]

No PR349/2010-ISPR
Rawalpindi - August 24, 2010:

General James N. Mattis, on his first visit as Commander US CENTCOM called on General Tariq Majid, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) at Joint Staff Headquarters, Chaklala and discussed regional security situation, ongoing US support to flood victims and other matters of professional interest including situation in Afghanistan, progress on effort against extremism and terrorism and US Pakistan bilateral military cooperation.

General Mattis offered condolences over loss of precious lives during recent floods in Pakistan, expressed solidarity and pledged support from public and government of USA to the flood victims. He also appreciated the efforts put in by Pakistan against terrorism and violent extremism and especially lauded the sacrifices made by young Pakistani officers.

General Tariq Majid while congratulating General Mattis on assumption of his appointment, conveyed best wishes for his successful tenure. He appreciated the lead role US government and military has played in the recent flood relief activities including immediate assistance of 150 million dollars, provision of helicopters and relief goods to the flood affected areas.

 

[air marshal]

No PR351/2010-ISPR
Rawalpindi - August 25, 2010:

Operation “LABBAIK”

Pakistan Army Engineers in collaboration with Civil Administration are busy in the damage assessment and repair of all bridges and roads in flood affected areas.

All possible efforts are being made to open the roads by making diversions or repairing the roads. Pakistan Army Engineers have opened roads Astor-Gilgit, Gilgit-Hunza and Gilgit-Ghizer for light traffic. Road from Jhal Magassi to Sibbi has been opened for traffic. Rojhan Jamali and Sohbat Pur have been connected to Dera Allah Yar.

Army dispatched two C-130 loads to Dera Murad Jamali from Quetta, which include 2 tons of dry ration and medicines donated by Turkish brethren.

Pakistan Army has established 24 Relief Camps at Quetta, Sibbi, Dera Murad Jamli, Mastong and Jhal Magassi and providing cooked food and medical facilities. Pakistan Army troops have shifted 19000 marooned people of Dera Murad Jamli to Sibbi and Quetta on Special trains and Army trucks.

Pakistan Army has distributed cooked food to over 50,000 flood affected people at Army Relief Camps in Sindh and Southern Punjab and 10 tons of dry rations at Nowshera, Doshera, Dehrai, Gul Jabbad and Garo in KPK in last 24 hours.

Special arrangements have been made to supply relief items to Kalam and Gilgit Baltistan through Heli service and sorties of C-130 on daily basis.

A total of 3000 tons of relief items worth Rs. 212 million have been dispatched by Pakistan Army from Lahore Garrison to flood affected areas of Southern Punjab and Sindh interior within 15 days of establishment of its flood relief camps in the City.