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Suo Motu Statement by EAM in
Parliament on India’s offer of assistance of US $ 25 million to
Pakistan for flood relief
31/08/2010
Pakistan has been severely affected by the massive floods that have
caused widespread damage to life and property. The recent floods are
being described as the worst in that part of the world in the last
80 years. According to the latest figures given by the UN Office for
the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, 17.2 million people have
been adversely affected by these floods. Death toll has reached over
1600. More than 1.2 million houses have been damaged or destroyed
besides widespread damage to infrastructure, crops and livestock.
All four provinces of Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir have
suffered the consequences. Latest reports indicate that the flood
situation in Sindh continues to deteriorate, even as flood waters
recede in Punjab.
We cannot remain unconcerned with this grave humanitarian crisis of
enormous magnitude in our immediate neighbourhood. I had telephoned
the Foreign Minister of Pakistan on August 13, 2010, and conveyed
deepest sympathies and condolences to the people and Government of
Pakistan, on this natural disaster, on behalf of the people and
Government of India. As a gesture of solidarity with the people of
Pakistan in their hour of need, I had also conveyed Government’s
offer of assistance of US $ 5 million for provision of relief
material from India for the flood victims in Pakistan.
Prime Minister called Prime Minister of Pakistan Yusuf Raza Gilani
on August 19, 2010, to express his sorrow and to condole the deaths
resulting from the huge floods in Pakistan. Prime Minister conveyed
that the Government of India had already made an offer of assistance
and was ready to do more to assist in the relief effort.
Pakistan has conveyed its deep appreciation of India’s offer of
assistance. While mentioning that the United Nations has launched a
flash appeal soliciting contributions from the international
community to assist the people affected by the floods, Pakistan
requested on 27 August that India may channel its contribution to
the flood victims through the UN.
As a more concrete assessment of the damage inflicted by this
natural disaster and the urgent needs of the people of Pakistan
emerges, Government has decided to increase its assistance to
Pakistan from 5 million US Dollars, announced earlier, to 25 million
US Dollars. Out of this amount, 20 million US Dollars would be
contributed to the ‘Pakistan Initial Floods Emergency Response Plan’
launched by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs. The balance of 5 million US Dollars would be contributed to
the World Food Programme for its relief efforts in Pakistan.
Prime Minister has rightly said that in such times of natural
disasters, all of South Asia should rise to the occasion and extend
every possible help to the affected people. We remain committed to
assisting the people of Pakistan in all possible ways in this
difficult hour.
Thank you.
New Delhi
August 31, 2010 |
