Italy offers €300,000 in relief to Pakistan

Collapses houses in Balochistan, Pakistan following two earthquakes within four days
ROME - Italy has offered €300,000 to Pakistan in the form of disaster relief following two earthquakes in the Pakistani province of Balochistan.
 
The Italian Ambassador to Pakistan, Chiodi Cianfarani, spoke with the Pakistani Finance Minister, Senator Ishaq Dar, on Sunday to express Italy's sympathy for the recent disaster. 
 
On Sept. 24, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit Balochistan. Four days later, an earthquake with a 7.2 magnitude hit the region again. The disasters killed over 470 people and many others were wounded. Over 100,000 people have been displaced from the earthquakes.
 
In response to the tragedy, Ambassador Cianfarani explained that Italy would provide €300,000 in relief for use on the government's poverty alleviation and Citizens Damage Control programmes. He also mentioned that he wished to expand the current bilateral economic relations between Italy and Pakistan.
 
The Finance Minister thanked Italy and expressed hope that Italy would also extend its support for the EU to grant GSP Plus status to Pakistan.