UN, US offer deepest condolences for Pak-Afghan earthquake casualties
UN Secretary-General also wished a speedy recovery for those injured in the natural disaster.
WASHINGTON (Dunya News) – The United Nations and the US on Tuesday offered their deepest condolences over the loss of precious lives and the destruction in Pakistan and Afghanistan caused by the earthquake that severely rocked the two countries.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed his sorrow over the calamity and offered his commiseration to the families of the victims who died in the earthquake. In a statement issued from New York, the UN Secretary-General expressed that different departments of the UN were on standby for the relief operations which can be started immediately on the request of the affected countries. The UN Secretary-General also wished a speedy recovery for those injured in the natural disaster.
US also expressed its deepest sympathies over the tragedy with the White House Spokesperson stating that the US was prepared to offer every kind of help to both countries in these times. The Spokesperson also stated that the US government was in contact with both countries in regards to the matter.
However, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday said that Pakistan will overcome the calamity caused by the earthquake with its own resources. He thanked Indian counterpart Narendra Modi for calling him and sharing his grief, reported Dunya News.
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Talking to media in London, PM said that he will leave for Pakistan shortly, cutting his visit short and cancelling many other engagements. He appreciated the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for their relief work. He said that NDMA is completely operational and actively helping the earthquake victims.
PM said that he contacted Chief Minister (CM) Khyber Pakhtunkhawa (KP) Pervez Khattak immediately after the earthquake took place. He said that the quake has brought more devastation in the mountainous region but Pakistan will overcome the calamity with its own resources.
Presenting a briefing regarding the earthquake, the Federal Minister for Information Pervez Rashid also stated no foreign aid is needed for rehabilitation of affectees. Rasheed stated that PM Nawaz has called for an emergency meeting on Tuesday. He said that federal government is in continuous communication with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and will provide it with all types of aid adding that helicopter surveillance of the affected areas has started while relief is being provided as well. Rashid also said that a crisis management cell has also been formed in PM House which will gather facts from the affected areas.
Also Read: No foreign aid needed, says Pervaiz Rasheed
At least 206 people were killed and hundreds sustained injuries when an earthquake measuring 8.1 at Richter Scale hit Pakistan on Monday. 150 deaths have also occurred in Afghanistan. Several buildings collapsed in various areas of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provinces as 135 casualties occurred in the latter.
Also read: Massive earthquake rocks South Asia
