Jammu and Kashmir floods: United Nations system stands ready to help India, Pakistan

The UN system stands ready to help governments in India and Pakistan in their efforts to provide relief and assistance to the hundreds impacted by the severe floods in Kashmir, a spokesperson for UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said on Monday.

A large-scale rescue operation has been launched by Indian authorities in Jammu and Kashmir as the Army and Air Force evacuated thousands of people from inundated areas across the state.

Nearly 150 people have been killed in the floods and many more stranded, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing Rs 1,000 crore aid for the battered state.

Ban's spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told PTI here today that UN officials in New Delhi are in touch with Indian authorities "to see how best we can help." He, however, added that he is not aware whether the UN agencies in India have received any official request from the government for help in relief and rescue operations.

He said UN officials in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs are working closely with the Pakistani government and the United Nations system stands by to help Pakistan and those impacted by the floods.