On 9 June 2011, Mr. Marut Jitpatima, Ambassador of Thailand to Pakistan, and Mrs. Hina Rabbani Khar, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, presided over the handing over ceremony of 20,000 tonnes of Thai rice donated by the Thai Government to the Government of Pakistan at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Islamabad.
Mr. Jitpatima said that due to the monsoon floods in June last year, which caused the loss of lives and damages to households and infrastructure, the Thai Government and people of Thailand at all levels have donated money and 8 tonnes of relief items comprising medicines and medical supplies, wheelchairs, insecticide treated nets and blankets to Pakistan in October 2010. Mr. Jitpatima also said that this year the Thai Government has donated 20,000 tonnes of Thai rice worth USD 14 millions and money amounting to USD 4,260 raised by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and Islamic Bank of Thailand to assist flood victims in Pakistan. He concluded that the said contribution, valued at more than USD 14.7 millions so far, is part of the spirit of solidarity and cooperation by Thai people to mobilize humanitarian assistance to help Pakistani friends in need.
Mrs. Khar expressed Pakistan’s deep appreciation to Thailand for the generous relief assistance and for standing alongside Pakistan throughout the entire period of the natural disaster last year which affected more than 20 million people, destroyed over 1.9 million households and caused over 10 million people to lose their livelihoods. The impact of this devastation on the Pakistani economy has been profound in Khyber-Pakhtunkhawa Province. She further emphasized that the mammoth task of rehabilitation would not have been possible without the assistance of friendly countries amongst which Thailand stands in the first ranks. She concluded that for the people of Pakistan, affected by the worst flooding in the nation’s history, the unprecedented support of Thailand is comforting and deeply appreciated.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th