More countries pledged assistance to Pakistan on Monday as monsoon floods flowed into the Punjab, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
Britain pledged approximately $8 million to help flood victims. The cash, which will be channelled through the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), will be spent on efforts to help provide safe drinking water, toilets, sewage clearance and other measures.
The pledge, announced by the Department for International Development, comes as Pakistanis agitate over the controversial remarks made by British PM David Cameron in India.
The United Nations will contribute $10 million in relief assistance for Pakistan, a spokesperson for Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said late on Sunday night. The pledge was issued soon after Pakistan’s UN Ambassador Abdullah Hussain Haroon briefed the UN chief on the situation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the Punjab.
Australia meanwhile will provide A$5 million in assistance. According to an official statement, the Australian government will provide an immediate $2 million through the United Nations-managed Pakistan Emergency Response Fund and the International Red Cross/Crescent Movement.
An additional $3 million will be provided to help humanitarian agencies, including Australian NGOs. Germany announced it will provide Rs109 million. A statement said Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle announced that Germany will provide Rs54.5 million for tents, blankets and potable water. Another Rs54.5 million will be given as emergency food aid.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 3rd, 2010.
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