Local MP visits flood relief effort in Pakistan

Ashton and Failsworth MP Angela Rayner visited Pakistan to see relief efforts in place following the devastation caused by recent flooding.

Extreme rainfall resulted in catastrophic flash flooding, leaving one-third of the country underwater with the death toll topping 1,200 with 12,500 injured and millions displaced.

Ms Rayner said: “It’s almost impossible to imagine the scale of the crisis that has affected 33 million people with many now homeless and forced to live in unsanitary temporary accommodation.

“More than 220,000 homes have been completely destroyed and a further 662,00 have been damaged.

"Millions of acres of crops have been destroyed and hundreds of thousands of livestock have died.

"Roads have been obliterated and bridges wiped out meaning some areas are only accessible by air or by boat.

“I met the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shahbaz Shareef, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto and Chancellor Ihsaq Daar, who told me how the country has been affected by this public health emergency that has left thousands dead and children battling malnutrition and infection.

“Next month’s COP27 summit in Egypt will give us a chance to focus on the ongoing climate crisis in Pakistan.

"The global community must do all it can to assist them.

“The Pakistani Army are doing everything they can to support relief efforts and humanitarian teams are distributing vital aid such as tents, food packs, drinking water, cash grants and kitchen sets in the worst hit areas of Karachi, Malir, Mirpur Khas and Thatta.

“The British public have been outstanding in their fundraising efforts and I know there has been a lot of local activity to raise money for this cause.

"I am always so proud to represent an area that is so keen to look after one another and support each other.”

United Nations have recently revised their fundraising target to cope with a predicted second wave of floods that will cause even more devastation and destruction.

If you would like to donate to the national relief fund, you can do so by clicking here

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