The Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, have launched their first-ever joint humanitarian airlift from Termez to Karachi, Pakistan, to assist thousands of people affected by the recent catastrophic flooding.
The airlift contains over 15,000kgs of UNHCR ‘Refugee Housing Units’ to provide temporary shelter to those whose homes have been destroyed by the floods, with an aircraft provided by the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
UNHCR and Uzbekistan continue to provide assistance to flood-affected areas of Pakistan, where the situation remains dire. According to the most recent estimates, the floods displaced 7.6 million people, nearly 600,000 living in relief camps. Flood waters in the hardest-hit areas could take up to six months to recede, according to officials.
“We greatly appreciate the support of the Government of Uzbekistan to enable UNHCR to provide quick humanitarian assistance when it is needed most,” said Hans Friedrich Schodder, UNHCR Representative for Central Asia.
Over 100 trucks of essential relief items have already been dispatched from the regional hub in Termez to assist the Pakistan flood response, which is being supplemented by today’s airlift from the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
