The Danish high commission extend its sincere condolences for the victims of the flash floods (currently more than 1,300). Our thoughts are with their relatives and the many affected and displaced here in Pakistan (approx. 33m). UN Secretary General Mr. Guterres has declared the situation in Pakistan as a “monsoon on steroids”. He has also described the
current flooding as an unprecedented “climate catastrophe'”. And as you know, the Pakistani Government has called for international assistance. We are happy to inform that Denmark has answered this call.
Denmark has therefore supported the UN’s [humanitarian] flash appeal for Pakistan with 10 million Danish kroner to the UN Refugee Organisation, UNHCR. This funding is provided in addition to our core funding for Pakistan and the region of 50 million Danish kroner annually. UNHCR has already started their aid work and with our support they can expand their efforts with our funding. Their focus is particularly on emergency relief – providing tents and blankets and protection of vulnerable groups, including women and children.
It is a key priority for Denmark to provide flexible and unearmarked funding to our humanitarian strategic partners to allow them to respond quickly in times of urgent need, such as in the case of the ongoing flooding in Pakistan.
Denmark is also the 6th largest donor to the UN’s Central Emergency Relief Fund (CERF), which has already provided 3.07 million dollars almost two weeks ago [22.8 million DKK] for the relief work in Pakistan.
Last week, on the 31st August 2022, Denmark and Pakistan also signed a Green Framework Engagement. And on the 10th of August 2022, our countries signed an agreement for Danish-financing of sustainable infrastructure in Pakistan. These engagements will allow us to cooperate even more closely when it comes to green transition, sustainable development and climate change mitigation. This will assist rehabilitation and reconstruction.
We have also extended an offer for immediate relief assistance to Pakistan and the Pakistani people who are going through this devastating crisis. We especially share the concern about the drinking water in the affected areas. Diseases such as cholera, scabies, typhoid and ringworms often occur in the wake of floods especially due to the lack of accessibility to clean drinking water.
Denmark has pursuantly offered a major drinking water facility that can provide upwards to 120.000 litres of clean water a day. We are happy to welcome the team from the Danish Emergency Management Agency who will be operating this facility in Sindh.
