Updated on
Summary
China has announced to provide additional assistance of Yuan 50 million to the flood affectees. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani also directed National Disaster Management Authority to speed up the rescue activities of the flood affectees.Ambassador of China to Pakistan, Mr. Liu Jian called on the Prime Minister yesterday at the Prime Ministers Secretariat, to personally deliver a letter of thanks from the Chinese Premier H.E. Mr. Wen Jiabao. While conveying the sympathies and commiserations of the Government and people of China on the colossal loss of lives and properties as well as damage to Pakistans infrastructure in the current unprecedented floods, the Chinese Ambassador informed the Prime Minister that in addition to cash assistance of Yuan 10 million, his Government has now decided to provide additional assistance of Yuan 50 million for the flood affectees in Pakistan. The Ambassador said that China has been catering for the needs of these stranded Pakistanis and will continue looking after their needs till the road link from Gilgit to their area, is restored. The Chinese Ambassador also informed the Prime Minister that the Chinese companies and people were being mobilized by his Government to generously contribute to Prime Minister of Pakistans Flood Relief Fund, in their individual capacity. Prime Minister expressed his gratitude for the generous Chinese assistance and asked the Ambassador to convey his personal thanks to the Chinese President and Premier for helping Pakistan in this hour of need. While underscoring the importance of time-tested and enduring friendship between China and Pakistan, Prime Minister noted that people of both the countries had always stood by each other in such trying times.Three additional US Marine helicopters arrived in Pakistan yesterday as part of American humanitarian assistance and flood relief operations in the inundated regions of the country.Two US Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters and a US Navy MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopter arrived today, the US embassy in Islamabad said. The three aircraft are part of the contingent of 19 helicopters urgently ordered to Pakistan on Wednesday by US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. The remaining aircraft will arrive over the next few days and will include two more US Navy MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopters and 12 US Marine Corps CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters. The US helicopters will operate in partnership with the Pakistan military throughout the country's flood-affected areas.Britain has assigned up to 31.3 million pounds in response to the UN Pakistan appeal for the flood victims. British High Commissioner said that the aid will be given through Non-Government Organisations.British High Commissioner to Pakistan Adam Thomson said that this is in addition to 16.8 million pounds so far allocated while 10 million pounds bridge project has been brought forward, the amount would be spent for destroyed bridges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Addressing a news conference at his residence here, Adam said the British aid announced so far would provide help to around a half million people affected by the floods, adding two British Royal planes carrying relief goods, food, tents etc are arriving today. He said out of this amount four million pounds would be spent in flood-hit areas of Swat, Shangla, Nowshera and Charsadda while five million pounds would be spent on water sanitation, hygiene, which is in critical need and 80,000 people badly need such assistance. Adam said the UK public contribution for the Disastrous Management Committee has raised to 10.5 million pounds besides the Action Aid, Islamic Relief, Oxfam, Save Children are already contributing in relief work. He said, the UK has so far provided 3,500 tents, benefiting 62,500 people. He added that the UK aid has responded rapidly and generously to the relief efforts.
