UN chief to issue appeal for global help

UN Secretary said that he would soon issue an appeal to the international community for helping flood victims.

UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said on Sunday that he would soon issue an appeal to the international community for help in mitigating the sufferings of nearly one million victims of the devastating floods in Pakistan, pledging to step up United Nations relief efforts.

The UN chief made that statement at a meeting with Pakistan Ambassador Abdullah Hussain Haroon, who briefed him on the calamitous flooding in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa that is now engulfing the Punjab, and ultimately Sindh and Balochistan where rains have started, officials said.

Ban informed the ambassador that he would be further mobilising UN efforts to help in the relief work, and he sought the Pakistan Army’s help to gain access to areas cut off by flash floods.

The United Nations has already moved several of its agencies at the earlier request of Ambassador Haroon to provide medical attention through the World Health Organisation and food aid through the World Food Programme and also relief goods through the central emergency response fund and Ocha, the UN’s humanitarian agency.

In Balochistan, the UNHCR is providing relief to the flood-hit people. Officials said the secretary-general extended his sympathies to the people of Pakistan and his condolences for the lost lives.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 2^nd, 2010.