The Balochistan Province of Pakistan has been devasted by floods since early July 2022. Hundreds of people have died, and the government declared an immediate emergency across 22 districts including Kharan, Duki, Quetta and Chaman. Approximately 32,000 households in the region were assessed as being in need of support.
Holger Ziegeler – Consul General at the German Consulate General in Karachi (2020-2022) – visited one of the affected districts, Lasbela, in August 2022 to survey the damage and provide food aid and relief items for 1,000 families in the area. More details about the ongoing effects of the flooding can be found in the PDF attachment to this post.
Food Distribution from Germany
Mir Murad Baluch, Quetta’s designated Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany, thanked the German Consul General for the generous relief package, which included emergency food for families affected by flooding. Stating the massive and unprecedented magnitude of the calamity, Baluch went on to say that it would take many years for the country to overcome the challenges presented by this natural disaster, both practically and mentally.
The Relationship Between Germany and Balochistan
The Federal Republic of Germany has a long-standing relationship with the region of Balochistan in Pakistan. Through various funding agencies including the German Federal Foreign Office and the PATRIP Foundation, support has been provided for the people of Balochistan in multiple areas. These include education, healthcare, hygiene and water sanitation, infrastructure, livelihood and youth empowerment, as well as support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. More details about the aims and work of the PATRIP Foundation can be seen in the embedded short video.
About Holger Ziegeler
Holger Ziegeler first joined the German diplomatic service in 1992. Prior to this, he studied Physics, Mathematics, Philosophy and General Linguistics, achieved a Master of Science degree and was awarded a Fulbright scholarship. He later conducted particle physics and artificial intelligence research before turning to government work. Holger was commissioned as the Consul General in Karachi, Pakistan, in July 2020.
The infographic attachment looks at some of the effects of the 2022 Pakistan floods in numbers.
