On 18 August Andrew Mitchell, Secretary of State for International Development, and Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, Chairman of the Conservative Party, visited Islamic Relief flood response projects in Pakistan.

The UK Cabinet members spent the day in Nowshera in northwest Pakistan. During the trip they visited Pir Sabaq, a site in Nowshera where Islamic Relief set up shelters for flood survivors. Since distributing emergency shelters in the immediate aftermath of the floods, Islamic Relief has since assisted 40,000 flood survivors in Pakistan.

Islamic Relief’s Campaigns Manager, Moadh Kheriji is in Pakistan helping with the relief effort “We welcome Baroness Warsi and Mr Mitchell to come and observe projects that British aid agencies have set up since the disaster began. It is reassuring to see officials from our country coming here to witness the ongoing devastation first-hand. We hope that they continue to support survivors of the floods.”

Mr Mitchell flew from Islamabad to New York where he spoke of the destruction that he witnessed whilst in Pakistan, “Yesterday I saw the sheer and shocking magnitude of this catastrophe. It is clear that unless more aid is delivered now, many more people will die from disease and malnutrition.”

It is deeply depressing that the international community is only now waking up to the true scale of this disaster.”

The UK government has doubled its initial pledge of 31.3 million pounds. Islamic Relief UK Director, Jehangir Malik said, “We are extremely pleased that the UK is leading in mobilising the international community’s response to the floods. We urge all supporters, both at home and abroad, to continue to assist flood survivors.”

Earlier this week Andrew Mitchell attended Islamic Relief’s annual Ramadan launch which was held at the Institute of Directors, London. Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and entrepreneur James Caan also attended the event which marked the launch of Islamic Relief’s Ramadan campaign.

For more information or to arrange an interview with Islamic Relief aid workers in Pakistan contact Ruqaya Izzidien:

ruqaya.izzidien@irworldwide.org

07855499645

01216220719

Notes to Editors

• According to the Pakistani authorities, up to 20 million people have been affected; the United Nations estimates the figure to be around 14 million.
• The UK government intends to make available an additional £33 million in aid. This is in addition to the £31.3 million they have already allocated to the disaster.
• Islamic Relief has 11 office in Pakistan and has been working in the country since 1991.
• Iftar is the meal that is eaten at sunset to break the Ramadan fast.