Aid pours in

Response to the flood crisis in Pakistan gains momentum as the international community takes notice of the disaster.

Pledges of aid to Pakistan from EU nations has risen to more than 200 million euros ($253.4 million), the European Commission said on Tuesday.

"The European Commission Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO) acted extremely quickly and to date has committed to fund 70 million euros to assist the victims of the floods in Pakistan", the EU’s Brussels-based executive said in a statement.

“EU member states have also acted quickly with humanitarian funding worth more than 130 million euros so far.”

Malaysian citizens help out

Malaysians from all walks of life have been actively participating in providing humanitarian assistance to the flood victims in Pakistan. They have so far donated Rs6.2 million in the Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund.

A local manufacturing firm had donated Biscuits worth of Rs. 1.4 million, while the Pakistani community in Malaysia had sent Rs1.7 million in cash and relief goods of 4900kg for the flood affected people, said a press release received in Islamabad on Tuesday.

In addition, various relief organizations and companies have also been active to collect funds for the flood victims.

The Malaysian government has also pledged a donation of US$1 million and the Association of Spouses of Ministers and Deputy Ministers BAKTI has sent relief goods worth Rs46 million by two Royal Malaysian Air Force aircraft.

Hong Kong helps out

The Hong Kong Government has donated a total of HK Dollar 5.3 million for flood victims in Pakistan, said a statement issued in Karachi on Tuesday.

The Pakistan Hong Kong Business Forum (PHBF) has been actively pursuing the Hong Kong Government, Hong Kong Traders and Hong Kong based Companies in Pakistan who are donating for relief to the flood affected people of Pakistan.

The Hong Kong Government has donated a total of HK 5.3million. HK 2 million via Oxfam in Hong Kong, HK 3 million for World Vision Hong Kong and HK 0.3 million for Save the Children Hong Kong programme.

Cathay Pacific Airways has started a special fund for the flood relief in Hong Kong and the Airline has agreed to match whatever money is collected through staff donations. This is an ongoing effort of PHBF.

UK doubles aid

The United Kingdom (UK) has announced that it will double its aid contribution for the flood affected people in Pakistan to 64 million pounds (more than 8.5 billion PKR).

This was announced by Andrew Mitchell, British Development Secretary, Victoria Francis, Head of Department for International Development (DFID) told APP on Tuesday.

Afghanistan lauded

Chairman Pakistan People’s party (Sherpao), Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao has hailed President Hamid Karzai for announcing $1 million aid and sending of helicopters for the victims of recent heavy floods.

He said that such a gesture will strengthen friendly ties between the two brotherly countries.

He asked the international community to play its role for the relief and compensation of the flood affectees.