The world doesn't line up to help Pakistan.

[Chocolate]

World doesn't line up to help flood-hit Pak
Hundreds of thousands of people fled an ever-expanding flood zone on Tuesday as Pakistan's leaders called for a greater international response to what they say is the worst natural disaster in the country's history. Although the flooding was concentrated in northwestern Pakistan when it began two
weeks ago, it has spread south in recent days to inundate areas of Sindh and southern portions of the central province of Punjab. Those regions are heavily agricultural, and the destruction of millions of acres of crops could lead to a food shortage, development officials say.

The power shortages that plague the country could also worsen after a major natural gas field was submerged on Tuesday. Concern is growing that the disaster could lead to civil unrest.

Already, 14 million people have been affected by the flooding, and the Pakistani government has conceded that it does not have the resources to tackle the crisis. But officials say they have been disappointed by the relatively small amount of international assistance that has been offered.

In Washington, US officials said they would provide an additional $20 million in aid, bringing the total US contribution to $55 million. They also said that in response to Pakistan's need for more airlift capacity, the USS Peleliu, with about 16 heavy-lift helicopters, was awaiting final approval from the Pakistani government and Defence Secretary Robert M. Gates to dock in Karachi.

The United States, which has provided the most assistance thus far, is also trying to coordinate aid from other donors. Afghanistan has sent four Mi-17 helicopters along with four tons of medical supplies, and the United Arab Emirates and Japan have pledged helicopters, US officials said.

The Pakistani government and the Obama administration, whose relationship has been strained in the past, have been at pains to praise each other's efforts.

World doesn't line up to help flood-hit Pak - Hindustan Times

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

We will be fine - don't need world

 

[somebozo]

Afghanistan has sent four Mi-17 helicopters

A gesture of brotherhood..Afghanistan Zindabad! Pak-Afghan stiched through Pukhtoon brotherhood!
another stupid article as usual from shallow indian media whose aim is to earmark on every Pakistani misery. seems like they were unable to google.

TAMPA: The United States tripled the number of helicopters helping Pakistan's flood relief effort, as top US officials issued somber warnings about the massive scale of the disaster.

Source: http://www.geo.tv/8-12-2010/69836.htm

 

[Frankenstein]

World wud be more busy destroying us, May Allah protect us from our enemies

 

[G W A D A R I]

Its very early to make a conclusion bcoz flud i still on. Unfortunately. (God please help us)

 

[Ahmad]

A gesture of brotherhood..Afghanistan Zindabad! Pak-Afghan stiched through Pukhtoon brotherhood!
another stupid article as usual from shallow indian media whose aim is to earmark on every Pakistani misery. seems like they were unable to google.

Your mind is full of ethnic and race issues. But other people think more than that. Around 85% of pakistan and 60% of Afghanistan are not pashtoon, this help although very small, but it was done for the sake of humanity and neighbourhood not the so called silly pashtoonhood as you call.

 

[nanmun]

in times of natural disaster ... all the countries should help each other ....

Good to see that many countries coming forward to help the people affected by floods.

These small gestures can someday bring peace to the whole world!

 

[Speaker]

Outrageous and unfortunate.

Poor image hurts Pakistan funds appeal
Agnes Pedrero
August 17, 2010 - 5:54AM
AFP

Aid agencies are struggling to get funds for millions of Pakistan flood victims because the country suffers from an "image deficit", aid officials say, with some blaming perceived links with the Taliban and terrorism.

The international response to the disaster was described as "pitiful" by Britain's Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, who said many countries have also failed to grasp the scale of the catastrophe, which has affected up to 20 million people.

Elizabeth Byrs, spokeswoman of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said: "We note often an image deficit with regards to Pakistan among Western public opinion."

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As a result, Pakistan is among countries that are poorly financed, like Yemen," she added.

Melanie Brooks, spokeswoman of the aid group Care International, insisted that the United Nations must explain to donor states that "the money is not going to go to the hands of the Taliban".

"The victims are the mothers, the farmers, children. But in the past, information linked to Pakistan has always been linked to (the) Taliban and terrorism," she said.

Filipe Ribeiro, the director-general of Doctors Without Borders (MSF), also pointed to the "bad press" surrounding Pakistan as a reason for the slow flow of aid funds.

"In the media, Pakistan is clearly a country linked to terrorism and corruption, that there, the victims are not as innocent as others," he said.

The United Nations has been struggling to obtain $US460 million ($A515 million) to provide emergency aid to six million victims of the country ravaged by heavy flooding.

According to the latest update of funding pledges, the international community has transferred $US148 million ($A166 million) or 32 per cent of the total needed to the UN since the appeal was launched last week.

The United States has made the biggest contribution so far, while Britain was the second largest country donor.

The World Bank said on Monday it has agreedto provide a $US900 million ($A1.01 billion) loan to Pakistan following a request from Islamabad.

Clegg, who has taken day-to-day charge of the government while Prime Minister David Cameron is on holiday, said while Britain had taken a leading role in the relief effort, other countries needed to do more.

"The response from the international community as a whole, I have to say, has been lamentable. It's been absolutely pitiful," said Clegg.

"One of the reasons may be because this is a disaster on a scale that people are struggling to understand.

"We have already taken a lead in the international effort but we need other people to help."

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also urged the world to speed up aid for the country when he flew in on Sunday to visit areas ravaged by record floods.

According to Pakistani authorities, around a quarter of the country, which extends over 800,000 square kilometres and counts 167 million inhabitants, has been affected by the floods over the last three weeks.

The United Nations estimates 14 million people have been affected and 1600 have died. The government in Islamabad has confirmed 1384 deaths.

Billions would be needed in the long term to reconstruct the villages, infrastructure and harvests devastated by the floods, the UN said, also warning of the threat of waterborne diseases.

© 2010 AFP

 

[keldorn]

Not to mention the corruption of Zardari and his ilk. I'd rather send actual goods (food, water, blankets, medicine etc)than money that would be diverted into Mr. 10%'s Swiss bank account.

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

Yeah hes a real corrupt S.O.A.B.
Bettwe give donations to the army rather then the terrorist.

 

[Hulk]

This is one place I do not understand why China is not number 1, at the same time appreciate USA even after their economy not doing well they still are highest doners. USA deserves to be boss of world. I will support them, best people on earth.

 

[Bhim]

Canada is sending $35 million.
Private organizations are also mobilizing aid efforts.

 

[MZUBAIR]

Its not the poor image of Pakistan....its the poor image of Mr 10%.

Even we Pakistani hesitates to fund in Pakistan's Gov Flood relief funds......

People are giving money to Pakistan Army Relief fund, Pakistan Tahrekay Insaaf Flood Fund, Pakistan Islamic Jamiat Flood fund .....and many are going themselves taking food n stuff on trucks.

University studednts are taking fund in Universities, on roads, squares etc
Private organizations taking funds from their employees, customers, from people on roads.....n moving on their own for flood relief

International community also supporting poor people

We hate Mr 10% Gov

 

[MZUBAIR]

Thanxs to Pakistan Army, their flood relief compains and their efforts to save poor people.

 

[MZUBAIR]