US Congressman expresses concern over the flood crisis in Pakistan

United States (US) Congressman Gregory W. Meeks has expressed sympathies and offered condolences over the loss of hundreds of lives due to the catastrophic situation of floods in Pakistan.

Meeks, who is chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, held a meeting with Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US Masood Khan.

During the meeting, Khan thanked Chairman Meeks for expressing solidarity with the flood victims, saying that the country is trying to deal with this natural catastrophe, reports Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).

Khan also thanked the US for its financial assistance for the Pakistani flood victims and relief activities.

Earlier, US Secretary Antony Blinken had announced $1 million to build resilience against natural disasters in addition to $100,000 in immediate relief for the flood victims of Pakistan.

Meeks visited Pakistan in 2020. During the visit, he met Pakistani parliamentary and government leaders and members of civil society.

On Thursday, the Pakistani government declared the ongoing flood situation in the country a “national emergency”. 

At least 937 people have died in floods caused by heavy rains in Sindh and Balochistan provinces.

According to the data issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), 234 people have lost their lives to rain and flood-related incidents in Balochistan and 306 people have lost their lives in Sindh. 165 people have lost their lives in Punjab and 185 have lost their lives in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).