Emergency humanitarian relief from France

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic Studies

Islamabad, September 4, , 2022: At President Macron’s request, France is putting together an extraordinary

operation to provide emergency relief to the people of Pakistan who have been

affected by the severe floods ravaging their country.

During her telephone call on Sunday with her Pakistani counterpart, Bilawal

Zardari-Bhutto, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna

expressed France’s solidarity with Pakistan and our wish to respond promptly to

the Pakistani authorities’ appeal for international support.

Based on the needs enumerated by the Pakistani authorities, the Crisis and

Support Center (CDCS) of the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs is

closely coordinating this operation with the Interior Ministry’s Department of

Civil Security and Crisis Management (DGSCGC).

On Friday, a special charter leased by the Airbus Foundation will transport 83

very high-capacity water pumps, 200 family tents, and survival, hygiene and

protective equipment to Pakistan. The aircraft will also carry experts from Civil

Security units, particularly doctors and nurses who will be deployed on the

ground in consultation with the Pakistani authorities.

Given the widespread destruction of the country’s infrastructure, in the coming

days, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs will also be shipping a 50-

meter-long Bailey-type bridge to Pakistan that will be able to be swiftly

deployed in the affected areas.

These operations are being carried out within the framework of the European

Union Civil Protection Mechanism (EUCPM).

In addition, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs will provide financial

assistance to several French NGOs and the Pakistani Red Crescent, which are

providing relief to people affected by the floods.