Joint Launch of 2022 Pakistan Floods Response Plan by Government of Pakistan and the United Nations

 

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, August 31, 2022: The “2022 Pakistan Floods Response Plan (FRP)” was jointly launched today by Government of Pakistan and the United Nations, simultaneously in Islamabad and Geneva. The FRP is being launched in the backdrop of devastating rains, floods and landslides that have impacted more than 33 million people in different parts of Pakistan. Over 1,100 people including over 350 children have lost their lives, more than 1,600 people have been injured, over 287,000 houses have been fully and 662,000 partially destroyed, over 735,000 livestock have perished and 2 million acres of crops have been adversely impacted, besides severe damage to communications infrastructure.

 

The FRP focuses on the needs of 5.2 million people, with life-saving response activities amounting to US$ 160.3 million covering food security, assistance for agriculture and livestock, shelter and non-food items, nutrition programmes, primary health services, protection, water and sanitation, women’s health, and education support, as well as shelter for displaced people.

 

The FRP highlights the main humanitarian needs, the efforts and steps taken by the Government of Pakistan to handle these challenges in collaboration with the UN and other partners, and sets out a well-coordinated and inclusive plan of action to respond to the needs of the affected people. The FRP is holistic, with a multi-sectoral approach covering the thematic clusters of food security and agriculture, health, nutrition, education, protection, shelter and non-food items, water, sanitation and hygiene. Moreover, Pakistan continues to host more than 3 million Afghans with generosity and compassion, and like previous occasions, the at least 421,000 refugees living in flood-affected areas are included in the FRP.

 

Delivering the keynote address, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said, “The Government’s efforts are being supported by the Pakistani nation with people, civil society and humanitarian organizations stepping forward in a big way to complement the relief work with our characteristic generosity and philanthropic spirit. The Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund 2022 has also been established to facilitate people all over the country and overseas to contribute to the flood relief efforts.” The FM added that “this Appeal is expected to address only a part of the overall requirements and will, therefore, complement the broader effort.” The FM underscored that the international community’s “full support and solidarity with the people of Pakistan at this time would go a long way in alleviating their suffering and in helping to rebuild their lives and communities”.

 

In his video message, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres shared that “the people of Pakistan face the unrelenting impact of heavy rains and flooding – worst in decades”. UNSG added that “the Government of Pakistan’s response has been swift. It has released national funds, including in the form of immediate cash relief. But the scale of needs is rising like the flood waters. It requires the world’s collective and prioritized attention.”

 

The Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal highlighted that “Pakistan being a negligible contributor to the overall carbon footprint, is still among the top ten countries that are vulnerable to climate change, and with extreme weather events which we have experienced from earlier this year like the heat waves, forest fires, multiple glacial lake-outburst-floods and now these disastrous monsoon floods.”

 

The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Julien Harneis said: “This super flood is driven by climate change - the causes are international and so the response calls for international solidarity.” He further added, “Across Pakistan, I have seen government workers, ordinary people, out in the rain and water, saving lives and giving the little they have to those who have lost everything. We, in the international community, need to step up and stand with the people of Pakistan. This appeal is the absolute minimum we need from the international community for life-saving assistance and services. The people of Pakistan deserve our support.”

 

Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Lieutenant General Akhtar Nawaz gave a detailed briefing on the current humanitarian situation and efforts of the Government of Pakistan, supported by humanitarian partners in carrying out rescue and relief operations.

Mr. Xavier Castellanos Mosquera, Under-Secretary-General for National Society Development and Operations Coordination, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said, “IFRC is committed to assisting the affected communities in these unprecedented floods in Pakistan. Together with Pakistan Red Crescent, we have launched an initial emergency appeal through which we are seeking funds to assist 324,000 people in Health, Safe drinking water, Emergency Shelter, and Livelihoods. The IFRC is working together with the Government of Pakistan and the UN agencies to have a coordinated response to ensure we reach the most vulnerable and affected populations, providing access to basic necessities to all”.

 

Mr. Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees shared that “today, the international community – including my own agency – must help the people in need in Pakistan. We urgently need global support and solidarity for Pakistan”.

 

The launch event was well attended by the Diplomatic Corps both in Islamabad and Geneva, heads of UN agencies in Pakistan, representatives of international organizations, IFIs, civil society and media. The participants offered condolences and expressions of solidarity on the loss of precious lives and damage to infrastructure by the floods, and assured their continued support to the relief, rescue, rehabilitation, and reconstruction efforts of Pakistan.

 

Pakistan is a country with experience and capacity in responding to humanitarian emergencies and has made major strides in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, the scale and magnitude of the current floods is unprecedented, whereby, the country received rainfall equivalent to 2.9 times the national 30-year average – a grave manifestation of Climate Change induced disasters. It is important that the international community shows solidarity with Pakistan and complements its national efforts in combating the direct and inter-related impacts of the current floods.

 

 

 

 United States Provides $30 Million in Critical Humanitarian Assistance for Flood Response in Pakistan

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, August 31, 2022: The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), today announced an additional $30 million in life-saving humanitarian assistance to support people and communities affected by severe flooding in Pakistan.  Pakistan’s government has declared the floods a national emergency, with 66 districts declared to be “calamity hit.”

The United States is deeply saddened by the devastating loss of life, livelihoods, and homes throughout Pakistan.  In response to the Pakistani government’s request for assistance, the United States will prioritize urgently needed food support, safe water, sanitation and hygiene improvements, financial help, and shelter assistance.  This support will save lives and reduce suffering among the most vulnerable affected communities.  The United States will continue to monitor the crisis in close coordination with local partners and Pakistani authorities.  A USAID disaster management specialist arrived in Pakistan August 29 to assess the impact of the floods and intensify coordination with partners on response efforts.

The United States remains steadfast in its support for affected communities throughout Pakistan.  In addition to the $30 million in urgently needed humanitarian assistance announced today, the United States also provided over $1.1 million in grants and project support earlier this month to ensure direct assistance reaches those communities most impacted and to help mitigate and prevent the effects of future floods.  

 

 

 Joint launch of the 2022 Pakistan Floods Response Plan

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, August 29, 2022: Pakistan is facing its worst humanitarian crisis as unrelenting rains, flash floods, and heavy rains continue creating havoc across the country, affecting a record 33 million people. Although the Government and the humanitarian partners are working to provide immediate relief, much more is needed.

 

Join the simultaneous launch of the 2022 Pakistan Floods Response Plan from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad and the Palais des Nations in Geneva as the Government, and the United Nations get together to call on the international humanitarian community to help the country cope with this climatic disaster.

 

Please see the invitation and the program below. A link for virtual participation will also be available. Please RSVP to confirm participation.

 

 

 

 United States Donates Additional Nine Million COVID-19 Vaccine Doses

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, August 27, 2022: As part of the U.S. commitment to provide 77 million doses of U.S. COVID-19 vaccines to Pakistan, an additional nine million pediatric and adult doses from the United States—in partnership with COVAX— began arriving on August 26.

The United States is the single largest donor of COVID-19 vaccines to Pakistan.  In addition to those Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, the United States also recently donated four mobile testing laboratories, worth $4.6 million, to Pakistan’s National Institute of Health through USAID.  These labs have strengthened Pakistan’s ability to diagnose COVID-19 and other communicable diseases, especially in remote and underserved areas.

Expressing appreciation for the strong bilateral health cooperation as the United States and Pakistan commemorate 75 years of bilateral relations, Ambassador Blome said, “The vaccines, supplies, and training we have provided to Pakistan, coupled with the expertise and dedication of Pakistan’s healthcare professionals, will allow our two countries to continue working together to combat COVID-19 and safeguard the health and safety of the Pakistani people.”

An additional $20 million in USAID funding is also planned to support ongoing vaccination efforts in Pakistan.  Since the start of the pandemic, the U.S. government has provided nearly $70.4 million in direct support and $13.8 million in in-kind support to assist the Pakistani people in the fight against COVID-19.

Previously, the United States provided Pakistan with more than 1.2 million N95 masks, 96,000 surgical masks, 52,000 protective goggles, one million COVID-19 rapid diagnostic tests, 1,200 pulse oximeters, and 200 ventilators for 64 Pakistani hospitals – all of which has helped save lives and protect people across Pakistan.  The U.S. government also trained over 50,000 health workers, including 30,000 women, across Pakistan on home-based care for COVID-19 patients and established a national network of disease surveillance and response units and teams – providing an infrastructure to combat the current pandemic and building resiliency for the future.

The close coordination between the U.S. and Pakistani authorities, doctors, nurses, and logistics professionals continues to produce tangible, life-saving results.  Every additional vaccine administered boosts our ability to prevent future COVID-19 waves.  The United States will continue to work with our Pakistani friends to help strengthen local capacity and infrastructure to combat COVID-19 and other communicable diseases.

Find out more information on COVID-19 vaccine donations at: https://www.state.gov/covid-19-recovery/vaccine-deliveries/

 

 

 Her Royal Highness Princess Sarah Zeid of Jordan arrives on a week-long visit to Pakistan.

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, August 26, 2022: HRH Princess Sarah Zeid of Jordan arrived on a one-week mission in Karachi today in her role as a Special Advisor on Maternal & Child Health and Nutrition of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

 

HRH Princess Sarah is visiting Pakistan to acknowledge the concerted efforts of the Government of Pakistan, WFP and partners in addressing malnutrition in the country, especially maternal malnutrition, within and outside the health system.  The Princess will also emphasize the importance of investing in nutrition of women and children with a life cycle approach.

 

HRH Princess Sarah Zeid will meet with high-level government officials in Karachi and Islamabad to appreciate their efforts in placing stunting prevention as a top priority. She will visit several WFP-supported nutrition projects in Sindh and Islamabad and see first-hand how WFP is supporting the government in addressing malnutrition through the Benazir Nashonuma Programme, particularly stunting that affects 12 million or up to two-thirds of children in Pakistan. Her Royal Highness will share best practices on maternal nutrition and her learnings from Pakistan at relevant global fora after her visit.

 

The World Food Programme assists the Government of Pakistan in malnutrition prevention activities, enhancing social and public sector capacity to identify, target and assist nutritionally vulnerable populations. The target is that children under 5 years of age, adolescent girls and women of reproductive age, have improved nutrition in line with national targets in Pakistan Vision 2025.

 

Note: The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.

 

 

 War in Ukraine has left nearly 1,000 children killed or injured.

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, August 23, 2022: “At least 972 children in Ukraine have been killed or injured by violence since the war escalated nearly six months ago, an average of over five children killed or injured each day.

“And these are just the figures the UN has been able to verify. We believe the true number to be much higher.  

“The use of explosive weapons has caused most of the child casualties. These weapons do not discriminate between civilian and combatant, especially when used in populated areas as has been the case in Ukraine – in Mariupol, Luhansk, Kremenchuk, and Vinnytsia. The list goes on and on.

 

“Once again, as in all wars, the reckless decisions of adults are putting children at extreme risk. There are no armed operations of this kind that do not result in children being harmed.

“Meanwhile, beyond the horror of children being killed or physically hurt in attacks, almost every child in Ukraine has been exposed to deeply distressing events, and those fleeing violence are at significant risk of family separation, violence, abuse, sexual exploitation, and trafficking.

“The start of the school year in just over a week’s time is a stark reminder of how much children in Ukraine have lost.

 

“Ukraine’s education system has been devastated by the escalation of hostilities across the country. Schools have been targeted or used by parties, resulting in families not feeling safe to send their children to school. We estimate that 1 in 10 schools have been damaged or destroyed.

“All children need to be in school and learning, including children caught up in emergencies. Children in Ukraine and those displaced by this war are no exception.

 

“UNICEF continues to call for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and for all children to be protected from harm. This includes ending the brutal use of explosive weapons in populated areas and attacks on civilian facilities and infrastructure.

 

“Ukraine’s children urgently need safety, stability, access to safe learning, child protection services, and psychosocial support.

“But more than anything, Ukraine’s children need peace.”

 

 

 THE INTERNATIONAL DAY

COMMEMORATING THE VICTIMS OF ACTS OF VIOLENCE

BASED ON RELIGION OR BELIEF

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, August 21, 2022: The following is the message of the UNSG Antonio Guterres on the International Day commemorating the victims of acts of violence based on religion or belief:

On this day, we honour those who have lost their lives or who have otherwise suffered for simply seeking to exercise their fundamental rights to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief.  I reiterate my firm solidarity with these victims.

 

Despite the concern of the United Nations General Assembly, which instituted this observance in 2019, persons and communities worldwide continue to face intolerance and violence based on religion or belief. 

 

Hate speech, online or offline, continues to fuel violence against vulnerable members of society, including ethnic and religious minorities.  We must do more to support victims and examine the conditions that drive intolerance and hate.  Initiatives like my Call to Action for Human Rights and the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech are tools that can be used to address these complex and pressing issues.

 

States have the responsibility to prevent and address discrimination and violence inflicted in the name of religion or belief through comprehensive policies that promote inclusion, diversity, tolerance and interfaith and intercultural dialogue.  Human rights violations perpetrated in the name of religion or belief must be investigated and punished, and effective reparations need to be provided to victims, in compliance with international human rights law. 

 

It is essential that all States, faith leaders and other influential actors condemn all incitement to hatred and violence based on religion or belief.  Only a collective, inclusive, and society-wide effort can result in safe co-existence for all and end this blight on our societies.

 

 

 

U.S. Ambassador Blome Highlights 75th Anniversary at Alumni Reunion

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Dr. Jassim Taqui

Islamabad, August 21, 2022: Ambassador Donald Blome celebrated the importance of the United States and Pakistan’s 75 years of bilateral relations when he met with approximately 700 alumni of U.S. government-sponsored educational and professional exchange programs.  These alumni gathered in Islamabad August 20 to share their experiences and continue strengthening ties between the United States and Pakistan.

Recognizing the extensive contributions that members of Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN) have made to their communities since the organization’s founding in 2008, the Ambassador remarked, “the 75th anniversary of relations between our two countries demonstrates our enduring people-to-people ties.  The future depends not just on our leaders; it depends on our people.  PUAN and its 37,000 members are a great example of the power of that people-to-people relationship.”

During his speech, Ambassador Blome also highlighted the countries’ strong bilateral partnership, including the 77 million COVID-19 vaccine doses the United States has committed to Pakistan, as well as the historic trade and investment relationship, which continues to see the United States as Pakistan’s number one export destination.   

The Islamabad-Rawalpindi Chapter reunion brought together politicians, scholars, journalists, business leaders, cultural leaders, and students for their first post-COVID era event.  The chapter reunion featured a job fair which brought international and local companies to offer on-site job recruitment.  PUAN alumni have led dozens of service activities in the Islamabad area during the past year, improving their communities in the fields of education, leadership development, and women’s empowerment.

PUAN Country President Syed Khurram Gillani and Islamabad-Rawalpindi Chapter President Syed Shahid Kazmi encouraged participants to volunteer for the network’s philanthropic activities and to spread the knowledge they gained in the United States.  The network also recognized several prominent alumni and volunteer mentors who have given back to their communities with Distinguished Alumni and Emerging Leader awards.

The U.S. government funds one of the largest professional and academic exchange programs in Pakistan, sending approximately 800 Pakistanis to the United States on exchanges every year.  Over the past 75 years, we have funded more than 14,000 Pakistanis to study in the United States and more than 22,000 young Pakistanis have participated in our English language programs. 

PUAN organizes events across Pakistan through 14 regional chapters.  Activities include community service projects, leadership training, roundtable discussions, and entrepreneurship programs.  To learn more the Alumni Network, visit Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network | Strengthening people-to-people ties between U.S. and Pakistan (pakusalumninetwork.org)

 

 V

 UNODC Concludes Awareness Raising Sessions on ‘Prisoner and Human Rights for Women and Juvenile Inmates’

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, August 18, 2022: UNODC has concluded Awareness Raising Sessions on ‘Prisoner and Human Rights for Women and Juvenile Inmates’ in the Special Prison for Women and Juvenile, Sukkur, Sindh on 17 August 2022. The participants included 25 women and 8 juveniles Under Trial Prisoners (UTPs). The aim of this initiative is to advocate the rights of prisoners to legal aid as an essential mechanism for have a fair trial enshrined in the basic principles of human rights.

 

UNODC Country Office in Pakistan (UNODC COPAK) and UNODC Headquarters Vienna, with the support of the Chinese Government, initiated these unprecedented awareness raising sessions in close consultation and cooperation with the Sindh Prisons Department.

 

Prior to the session held in Sukkur, UNODC had conducted 3 Awareness Raising Sessions in Karachi and Hyderabad for inmates of Special Prisons for Women and Juveniles. Overall a total number of 161 women and juvenile UTPs have attended the sessions in Sindh, out of which 109 were women and 52 juveniles. The first two sessions were held in Karachi on 7 and 8 June 2022 for women and juveniles, and the third session was held in Hyderabad for women on 14 June. All the sessions were geared towards advocating the rights of prisoners to legal aid; ensuring their understanding of equal access to justice that includes the provision of support to those without the means to actively enforce and protect their rights.

 

In the words of keynote speaker, Mr. Mehmood Ahmed, Lawyer Sindh High Court and Senior Legal Aid Expert, “Legal Aid is the major alternative to incarceration available at large in Pakistan to provide timely relief to the marginalized under trial prisoners”.

 

The inmates greatly appreciated the institution of this programme. They expressed the need for these sessions to continue, as it gives them an opportunity to have direct access to lawyers to interact with them and to fully understand the provision of free legal aid.

 

These sessions were attended by Superintendents of the respective jails, jail staff, lawyers from Sindh High Court (Karachi, Hyderabad and Sukkur), law graduates, and Sindh Legal Aid staff. The panelists comprised of UNODC Programme Officer (Prisons) and Sindh Prisons Staff.

 

This intervention is carried out under the Prisons Component of the Criminal Justice and Legal Reforms Programme of UNODC COPAK that specifically focuses on bridging communication gaps between UTPs and their families/relatives, and lawyers; advocating the right to legal aid; and on improving coordination between legal aid providers and prisons personnel, including recommendations on future endeavours.

 

 

 UN SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, August 8, 2022: On the occasion of the International Youth Day, the UN SG Antonio Guterres sent the following message:

Today, we celebrate International Youth Day, and the power of partnerships across generations.

This year’s theme — “Intergenerational Solidarity: Creating a World for All Ages” — reminds us of a basic truth: we need people of all ages, young and old alike, to join forces to build a better world for all.

Too often, ageism, bias and discrimination prevent this essential collaboration. When young people are shut out of the decisions being made about their lives, or when older people are denied a chance to be heard, we all lose.

Solidarity and collaboration are more essential than ever, as our world faces a series of challenges that threaten our collective future.

From COVID-19 to climate change, to conflicts, poverty, inequality and discrimination, we need all hands on deck to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and build the better, more peaceful future we all seek.

We need to support young people with massive investments in education and skills-building — including through next month’s Transforming Education Summit.

We also need to support gender equality and expanded opportunities for young people to participate in civic and political life.

It’s not enough to listen to young people — we need to integrate them into decision-making mechanisms at the local, national and international levels.

This is at the heart of our proposal to establish a new Youth Office at the United Nations.

And we need to ensure that older generations have access to social protection and opportunities to give back to their communities and share the decades of lived experience they have accumulated.  

On this important day, let’s join hands across generations to break down barriers, and work as one to achieve a more equitable, just and inclusive world for all people.