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Summary
Representatives of nations from around the world called for global solidarity to help flood-hit Pakistan in the wake of the countrys worst disaster in living memory and for generous support for vital relief operations. Make no mistake: this is a global disaster, a global challenge. It is one of the greatest tests of global solidarity in our times, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told a special session of the UN General Assembly, which adopted a resolution calling for international assistance in support of the Governments efforts to address the crisis. Ban said Pakistan is facing a slow-motion tsunami, with needs expected to grow, even as 15 to 20 million people currently need shelter, food and emergency care. That is more than the entire population hit by the Indian Ocean tsunami, the Kashmir earthquake, Cyclone Nargis and the earthquake in Haiti, combined, he stated, adding that at least 160,000 square kilometres of land is under water an area larger than more than half the countries of the world. The Secretary-General thanked the international community for the generosity it has shown so far, especially in response to the $460 million requested by the UN and its partners through the Pakistan Initial Floods Emergency Response Plan that was launched last week, which is now 47 per cent funded. Underscoring that the needs are great, and the disaster is far from over, Ban asked nations to respond urgently to the emergency response plan and help humanitarian agencies deliver the food, water, shelter and health care that millions in Pakistan so desperately need. US pledges $60m more aid for Pakistan US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pledged complete support with Pakistan in overcoming the challenge posed by the deadly floods in Pakistan. Hilary made these remarks during a meeting with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, The half-hour meeting took place a couple of hours ahead of the UN General Assembly session at which Mrs. Clinton is expected to announce extra aid to Pakistan for the relief of flood-hit people. Mrs. Clinton said that the United States considered Pakistan a key ally and would help it in every way possible.The foreign minister thanked Mrs. Clinton for the generous assistance extended by the United States in helping the flood victims.The secretary of state expressed appreciation for Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilanis move to set up the National Oversight Disaster Management Council (NODMC), which would provide transparency to the utilization of funds and encourage the donors.Qureshi appeals for more aid Pakistan would do everything possible, even re-visit its budget to release resources to help the flood-hit people, but international assistance was critical to meet the enormous challenge, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said last night. Speaking to a cross-section of American people, experts and journalists at Asia Society, he also said that his government was fully aware of the strategic and political implications of the disaster but its immediate focus was on protecting the millions of people left homeless by floods, triggered by heavy monsoon rains.The best way to counter the Taliban attempts to take advantage of the situation was to help the affected people, rebuild their destroyed hearths and homes and eventually restore the health and educational facilities, the foreign minister said.One-fifth of Pakistan has been inundated, the foreign minister told the audience jam-packing the hall, as he described in detail the terrible loss of life and property and damage to the crops wrought by the deadly floods causing the country huge enonomic losses.Well do everything possible, even re-visit our budget and change the countrys priorities in order to protect our distressed people, he added.
