Africa-Press – Mauritius. With the ongoing floods in Pakistan since 14 June 2022, the Municipal City Council of Port Louis and all the Local Authorities and the Association to help the victims of Pakistan, are organising a humanitarian initiative of fund-raising to contribute in alleviating the sufferings of millions of people in that country.
The Vice-Prime Minister, Minister of Local Government and Disaster Risk Management, Dr Mohammad Anwar Husnoo, made this announcement, today, during a press conference held at the Municipal City Council of Port-Louis.
The Minister of Land Transport and Light Rail, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Mr Alan Ganoo; the Lord Mayor of Port Louis, Mr Mahfouz Moussa Cadersaïb; the High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Mauritius, Mr Muhammad Arshad Jan Pathan; and other personalities were present.
Dr Husnoo highlighted that the fund-raising, that is, a ‘teledon’ will be organised on Thursday 29 September 2022 from 08 00 hours to 17 00 hours, and Friday 30 September 2022, from 08 00 hours to 17 00 hours.
Donations can be made to the following bank accounts:
State Bank of Mauritius: 50300000993087
Mauritius Commercial Bank: 000449852547
Ballot Boxes will also be available at Municipal and District Councils across Mauritius for the fund-raising initiative.
The Vice-Prime Minister reiterated that Mauritius has always helped friendly countries in time of distress and thus, cannot remain insensitive to the actual situation in Pakistan as both countries share a long-standing friendship and a common cultural heritage.
“By organising this humanitarian initiative of fund-raising, we are confident to bring relief to those affected”, he said. The Government of Mauritius has recently donated Rs 5 million to Pakistan, he also recalled.
Speaking about the catastrophic floods, Dr Husnoo highlighted the following: 10% of the surface area of Pakistan has been affected with 33 million people impacted; more than 1500 persons have lost their lives; as at date 575,000 people are in refugee camps; 1.14 million houses have been damaged; 750,000 houses have completely been destroyed; and 12,700 km roads have been damaged and more than 350 bridges destroyed.
He made an appeal to the population to donate generously for a good cause and to show empathy to the people of Pakistan. As for Minister Ganoo, he dwelt on the emergency response launched by the United Nations to raise $ 160 million to help Pakistan deal with the devastating flood which aims to support 5.2 million vulnerable people.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, he said, the damage caused by the flood is estimated to be around $10 billion. The Minister called upon Mauritians to express solidarity and donate to Pakistan as its population is facing an unprecedented situation.
Lord Mayor Cadersaïb also joined the Minister in encouraging all citizens to contribute generously by donating through internet banking, cash and cheque deposits and ballot boxes which will be available at Municipal and District Councils.
High Commissioner Pathan, in his address, expressed gratitude to the Government of Mauritius for the donation as well as the Municipal Council of Port Louis for coming up with the initiative to help in Pakistan those who have been affected by the historic disaster. He urged everyone to join hands and to donate generously to support Pakistani people in this difficult situation.
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