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SINGAPORE : Singapore has been quick to respond to disaster relief efforts in flood-hit Pakistan.
The Pakistan embassy in Singapore said there has been an outpouring of donations.
In just over two weeks, welfare organisation Sunlove Home collected nearly 14 tonnes of goods for Pakistan - including food, medicine and blankets.
A volunteer is paying for the goods to be transported to Kuala Lumpur by road. The items will be flown over to Islamabad.
The volunteer, William Chong, said he just wants to help, and will pay the S$8,000 in logistics cost.
Pakistan Airlines has offered free cargo space for the donated goods.
The items are expected to arrive in Pakistan by the end of the week.
From a lorry's worth of instant noodles, to 1,000 T-shirts from an anonymous donor, Singaporeans from all walks of life have been quick to answer the call for help. And no amount is too small, as people donate what they can afford.
Wee Lin, chairman, Sunlove Home, said: "We are concentrating on (collecting) food, medicine. So these are the items that we should address first, especially food. We must also remember that they have no means to cook the food, so it must (items which can) be easily cooked, or you can eat it straight from the box like biscuits."
Mr Wee said the Home will continue to accept donations as long as relief efforts are on-going. He is also in talks to see how they can also contribute to rebuilding efforts after the flood-waters subside.
Pakistan embassy officials visited the Home to provide documentation that will help expedite customs clearance at the Causeway.
The Deputy High Commissioner said he was grateful to Singapore for its generosity.
Donations collected so far have exceeded S$1 million.
Ata Ul Munim Shah, deputy high commissioner, Pakistan Embassy, said: "They were the first to come forward and to provide aid of about US$100,000 through Mercy Relief. And Mercy Relief has already sent a mission to Pakistan, and they have raised over S$500,000 for the flood-affected people in Pakistan.
"And similarly, Singapore Red Cross is doing a great job, they have also raised over S$400,000. And they are also working there and planning a mission in Pakistan. And MUIS has also raised over S$124,000."
Some 20 million people in Pakistan are affected by the floods. - CNA/ms
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