950813

15 tonnes flood

relief arrives

from Uzbekistan

RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: With the arrival of 15 tonnes of goods here Uzbekistan has become the first country to send relief aid to the flood stricken people of the Punjab.

After the Uzbek cargo air craft landed at the Lahore airport, the Uzbek ambassador handed over the relief goods comprising medicines, quilts and blankets and footwear, to the officials of the Punjab Relief Department.

The relief goods have been stored and would be disbursed among the flood affected people on the demand for respective district administrations.

Meanwhile, the relief department has so far distributed Rs 25 million among the people affected by the recent torrential rains and floods it may be mentioned here that Rs 10 million have been provided by the federal government and the remaining Rs 15 million were released by the provincial government.

According to the latest figures, 60 casualties have been reported so far in the Punjab province. However, the Punjab Relief Department was making all out efforts to finalize the assessment of the damages caused by the recent floods and rains.

Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has directed the relief department to immediately make arrangements to compensate the families of those who died in a mishap in which a boat capsized in River Jhelum on Friday. The prime minister had announced Rs 50,000 for the family of each deceased.