Islamabad, In a significant affirmation of international collaboration on humanitarian issues, the Ambassador of Norway to Pakistan, His Excellency Mr. Per Albert Ilsaas, met with the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) Chairman Sardar Shahid Ahmed Laghari at the PRCS National Headquarters in Islamabad on Monday. The meeting highlighted the enduring partnership between Norway and Pakistan, particularly in advancing humanitarian service efforts.

According to Pakistan Red Crescent Society, Ambassador Ilsaas lauded the PRCS for its critical role in providing relief and support to Pakistan’s most vulnerable populations. The discussions covered a range of topics, including bilateral relations, the various programs initiated with the support of the Norwegian Red Cross, and the vital importance of enhancing cooperation to serve humanity better.

Chairman Laghari outlined PRCS’s extensive initiatives, particularly emphasizing the organization’s post-flood rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts. He spotlighted ongoing collaborative projects with the Norwegian Red Cross aimed at improving basic healthcare, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities, and deploying mobile health teams to assist vulnerable groups, including children under five and pregnant women.

A highlight of the PRCS’s current initiatives is the Cash and Voucher Assistance pilot program in Jamshoro district, Sindh province, aimed at supporting pregnant and malnourished women. In partnership with the Norwegian Red Cross, the program is designed to provide PKR 109,000 per family over nine months, benefiting 1,000 women.

Chairman Laghari expressed gratitude for Ambassador Ilsaas’s dedication to Pakistan’s humanitarian needs and underscored the importance of his visit in strengthening bilateral ties. He also conveyed the PRCS’s hope for ongoing support from the Norwegian government, particularly in the aftermath of the devastating Monsoon 2022 floods, and expressed eagerness to broaden cooperation into other regions and sectors.

Ambassador Ilsaas acknowledged the progress achieved by PRCS under Chairman Laghari’s leadership, praising the organization’s extensive reach across Pakistan and its robust volunteer network. He reiterated Norway’s commitment to supporting PRCS’s humanitarian projects and lauded the organization’s efforts in addressing the complex challenges faced by the country.

The meeting concluded with Chairman Laghari presenting a commemorative shield and souvenir to Ambassador Ilsaas, symbolizing the strong and enduring partnership between Norway and Pakistan in humanitarian endeavors.