ISLAMABAD: Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) approved allocation of an additional Rs 10 billion to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) for procurement of relief items for flood-affected people across country. In ECC meeting, presided by Finance Minister Miftah Ismail, NDMA apprised participants of devastation caused by floods and presented a summary for allocation of funds for procurement and logistics of relief items.

It said that in order to provide immediate relief to flood affectees, NDMA had commenced procurement on an emergency basis which cost Rs 2.4 billion. Due to colossal damages, already procured items were not sufficient viz-a-viz relief requirements in flood-affected areas, it stated, adding that authority had, therefore, placed orders for more items at a cumulative cost of Rs 7.113 billion.

Previously, NDMA was allocated Rs 8 billion for purpose. However, it said that amount was insufficient as cost of procurement has surpassed Rs 9.5 billion. Besides procurement, NDMA said it was also undertaking logistics of all relief goods and materials provided by friendly countries. ECC also approved proposal presented by Ministry of Commerce regarding clearance of stuck-up consignments. It said that consignments of previously banned items that landed in Pakistan till August 18, 2022, may be released after imposing of surcharge.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 22 2022

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