Rescue and relief activities initiated by Pakistan Navy teams in Sri Lanka

Thursday, 1 June 2017 00:07 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

On the directive of Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, PNS Zulfiquar arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday to provide all kinds of rescue, relief and other required assistance for their regional neighbour.

Accordingly, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Operations are being undertaken by personnel of PNS Zulfiquar. Various teams were dispatched yesterday to assist Sri Lankans trapped in remote areas which are badly affected by the floods.

A Pakistan Navy medical team has established a medical camp in Horana in the Kalutara District at the Sri Sumangalaramaya Temple. Doctors and paramedical support staff are providing all essential services including providing medicines to patients. Sri Lankan Navy Commander Vice Admiral Ravindra C. Wijegunaratne met the medical team and conveyed his appreciation of the efforts of the Pakistani Government in its extending support at this critical moment.

Similarly, PNS Zulfiquar’s diving team, along with the necessary gear and lifesaving equipment, is working in flood-affected areas near the Kalu Ganga. Presently the team is providing humanitarian assistance and relief supplies to roughly 500 flood-affected people sheltered in the vicinity.

Two technical teams undertaking decontamination and de-flooding operations, as requested by the Sri Lankan Navy, have successfully decontaminated 25 wells that are being used by the local population.

Two more medical teams headed by Pakistani Dr. Muez and his wife are running medical camps in the Malwana area which is reported to have been badly hit by the floods while disease is also spreading in the area.

This PNS Zulfiquar will remain poised to provide any further assistance, as required by Sri Lankan authorities, throughout its stay at the port.

The successful operation carried out by Pakistan Navy personnel brought joy to the local populace, which gathered around PN personnel to express their gratitude for the professional skills of the technical and medical teams.