WASHINGTON: “The recent floods in Pakistan had inundated one third of the country yet the people didn’t have the water to drink. The scarcity of clean drinking water and the water-borne diseases have added to the miseries of flood affectees of Pakistan. We need immediate and continuous support of the international community in rebuilding lives and livelihood of the millions of flood victims,” Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States Sardar Muhammad Masood Khan said.

Ambassador Masood Khan made these remarks while addressing a fundraiser for the flood affectees organized by Human Necessity Foundation here in Virginia on Monday. The Human Necessity Foundation, a charitable not-for-profit organization, works to provide clean drinking water through Solar Water Plants. So far the Foundation has installed 700 filtration plants which were benefitting around 10 million people across the country.

Appreciating the efforts of Ms. Fouzia Kasoori, Senior Director of the Foundation and other committee members, the Ambassador said, “Today as you are dedicating this event to Pakistani floods, I can assure you that you would be fulfilling the most pressing requirements of the flood victims.” The Ambassador highlighted the devastation caused by the recent floods in Pakistan. He said that 33 million people, which is more than the population of California, have been affected, an area of 95000 square miles, more than the territory of Colorado, was submerged and 6.6 million people needed immediate attention.

The Ambassador thanked United Nations, international community and the government and the people of the United States for their generous support during rescue and relief operations in Pakistan. He especially lauded the generosity of Pakistani diaspora in the United States who have been contributing generously in providing relief to the flood affectees.

“The real challenge is to rehabilitate flood affectees and to rebuild their lives and livelihood. We need your continuous support. We look forward to the generosity of our friends, philanthropists and especially Pak-American community who have always been very generous in supporting their brethren at every difficult hour,” said Pak Ambassador to the United States.

Sardar Masood Khan also complemented Pak-American community for their constructive role and rapid progression in the US society. “Your integration in the American society, first in the economic fabric and now in the political landscape, has indeed been impressive,” observed Masood Khan.

“A million Pakistani-Americans have been the most resilient bridge between Pakistan and the United States,” stated Pak Ambassador to the United States.

Masood Khan said that Pakistan was passing through difficult times but the bright future awaits us. He urged the participants to have faith in the resilience and ability of the nation to rebound and steer the country towards progress and glory.