ISLAMABAD: The Government of Switzerland has contributed $5.6 million to address the education and livelihood needs of refugees and host communities in Pakistan.
Swiss Ambassador Georg Steiner and the Representative of UNHCR in Pakistan, Ms. Noriko Yoshida, jointly signed an agreement the other day in Islamabad to contribute this amount over a period of four years.
Meanwhile, Pakistan and Switzerland agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in diverse fields especially in the health sector.
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The understanding was reached during a meeting between Ambassador of Switzerland to Pakistan Georg Steiner and Minister for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Abdul Qadir Patel in Islamabad.
The Minister said that Pakistan faced a tough time due to floods across the country as it affected major parts of Balochistan, Sindh, Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Abdul Qadir Patel said massive damage had occurred which caused destruction of infrastructure, animal livestock and precious human lives. In many areas, fields crops were destroyed, especially women and children were affected the most.
He said that Pakistan never faced such a natural disaster. The primary and basic health units were completely devastated, which immediately need the help of the world to restore the health system.
The Minister said that the government is utilizing all resources to restore the health system. He thanked the Government of Switzerland for its support to flood victims.
Ambassador of Switzerland to Pakistan Georg Steiner said that their government is fully supporting the Government of Pakistan for the rehabilitation of flood victims.
He expressed deep sympathies over the current floods in Pakistan and the loss of lives and property and assured that the Government of Switzerland will continue its support for the flood victims in Pakistan.
