QUETTA/ISLAMABAD: The Economic Coordination Committee approved on Saturday the technical supplementary grant of Rs5 billion for the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for rescue, relief and compensation for the flood-affected people.

The decision was taken during a meeting presided over by Finance Minister Miftah Ismail, said a press release. The NDMA Islamabad presented the summary in the meeting for allocation of funds to it for the flood-hit people on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directives.

“The amount will be allocated from contingency provision of the Finance Division as block provision to NDMA,” it said, “the finance minister also called for immediate transfer of funds, for the timely help of the people.”

Read more: Pakistan declares monsoon emergency, braces for fresh rain spell

State Minister for Finance Aisha Ghous Pasha, Coordinator to the PM on Commerce and Industry Rana Ihsan Afzal, Coordinator to the PM on Economy Bial Azhar Kayani, the NDMA chairman, federal secretaries and other senior officers attended the meeting.

‘Relief fund’

PM Shehbaz set up on Saturday the ‘Prime Minister’s Relief Fund’ for the flood-affected people and appealed to the philanthropists and well-off segments of society to support such people with their generous donations.

The donations for the flood affectees can be deposited in Account No: G-12164 of the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund 2022, said a statement from the PM Office.

“The countrymen had already set a precedent in the world by making generous donations during the 2005 earthquake and 2010 floods to support the affected populace,” he said, “today also we need this spirit.”

The prime minister added the historic rainfall triggered a huge catastrophe that badly affected Balochistan, leaving a trail of unmatched destruction.

Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provinces were badly hit, he said, adding that despite the difficult financial situation, the government had released Rs5 billion for the flood-hit people.

“The wealthy people should support the government’s efforts in the rehabilitation of the flood-affected people,” he said, “they need support with the rekindling of the Ansar-e-Madina-like passion.”

The federal government had already declared an emergency situation in the flood-affected areas. The provincial governments had also been urged to declare them as calamity-hit areas so that relief and rehabilitation efforts could be expedited.

Death toll spikes to 628

The NDMA had reported that three more deaths were recorded across the country due to monsoon rains in the past 24 hours, bringing the nationwide death toll to 552 while 628 were injured.

“At least 49,778 houses were damaged due to floods and rains,” said the preliminary report on damages.

The PM had formed a committee to monitor the relief activities and announced that a joint survey would be conducted by the federal government and province to assess flood damages

The government was providing Rs1 million to the heirs of flood victims which was separate from the provinces’ financial assistance.