Global community affords only 25pc aid for Pakistan: Holbrooke

Expressing inability to provide entire recovery cost to Pakistan to meet with the post-flood crises, US special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke has called upon Pakistan to fend for itself in this regard. The international community will not be able to pick up the full cost of reconstruction, the envoy said. Holbrooke stated that consistent aid form the international community is required for the rehabilitation of flood-hit areas, as the devastation was massive. Noting that the eventual cost of the recovery efforts could run into the tens of billions of dollars, Holbrooke said, There will be a need for continued international assistance, but what we need to stress is that at a time of scarcity in other countries, a reconstruction effort cannot be financed completely by other countries. The special envoy called upon Pakistan government to redouble the funds earmarked for the relief and rehabilitation efforts, adding that the global community could contribute 25% of the aid only. According to an UN estimate, 21 million people have been affected by the disaster, out of which twelve million people are in need of emergency food aid.