Chinese Humanitarian Assistance to Pakistan: A True Reflection of Brotherhood

Editor's note: The writer is Dr. Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan, Director of Center for South Asia & International Studies (CSAIS) Islamabad and Regional Expert on China, CPEC & BRI. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of Gwadar pro.

The government and people of Pakistan are now confronted with deadly floods in the country. They are trying to survive a deadly natural calamity of devastating floods.

In this connection, most areas of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, interior Sindh and far-flung parts of Punjab have been submerged with floodwater. Life has become standstill and ugly in these areas due to which collateral damage is rampant. Social interaction and road connectivity have been drastically curtailed and decomposed. The ongoing floods have wrecked havoc in the country in which more than 1,000 people have now been killed and 33 million people have been badly affected. Moreover, more than 0.3 million have become homeless.

A friend in need is a friend indeed is a proverb and China has now become the "vivid reflection" of its finality and functionality in Pakistan.

It has now become a "beacon of hope" in the far-flung areas for the struggling people and communities alike. China's timely and generous humanitarian assistance has won the hearts and souls of millions of people inflicted and trapped in the floods in the country. Chinese humanitarian assistance has become a symbol of genuine charity, compassion and people's cooperation among the flood affected people.

Right from the beginning of the floods in the country China expressed deep sorrows and sympathies with the victims of flash floods in Balochistan and Sindh and pledged emergency humanitarian aid, including tents and urgently-needed relief material to the government of Pakistan.

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian, China pledges to donate another batch of emergency humanitarian supplies to Pakistan, comprising of 25,000 tents and other commodities. He assured that China would continue to promote bilateral cooperation in disaster prevention management and mitigate the effects of climate change in the country.

On its part, the Chinese Embassy in Islamabad has also taken all possible measures to assist and support Pakistan. Chinese ambassador Nong Rong held numerous valuable meetings with Pakistan's high officials mainly Ahsan Iqbal and Shahzain Bughti and subsequently delivered Chinese donations.

Moreover, the Red Cross Society of China will provide USD 300,000 in emergency cash assistance to the Pakistan Red Crescent Society. The All-Pakistan Chinese Enterprises’ Association has donated PKR 15 million to the Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund, vividly reflecting the true and pure resolve of the Chinese community to help Pakistanis in their difficult times and national crises.

Furthermore, the Chinese volunteers in Pakistan also donated food packs to local flood victims by teaming up with a local non-government organization. Also, the Chinese companies are arranging machines to repair the damaged road in an attempt to bring immediate and direct help to the locals.

Pakistani Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Ahsan Iqbal expressed gratitude for the Chinese companies' relief to the flood victims. Minister Iqbal upheld that China always stood first in times of crises which showed its true friendship and brotherhood.

To conclude, the Chinese government, private companies and its people have lived up to the expectations of Pakistan. Their friendships have already passed through numerous ups & downs phases having a rich tradition of helping each other in all the national crises.

The Chinese humanitarian assistance in Pakistan has become exemplary. It has become a life line for the weaker factions of society struggling for ultimate survival from the ongoing floods in the country. It has become a source of genuine inspiration for others to gel with the bleeding wounds of miserable people in floods affected areas. Thus Chinese continued and constant pledges, promises and deliveries of humanitarian assistance to floods affected people are very timely, precious, huge and important.