Speaking to Express TV on board an Air Force plane, Gilani said donors around the world are ready to provide relief to the flood victims and more than $700 million have already been pledged. “But there are some elements who are trying to thwart these noble efforts of the international community through a planned scheme, which will only hurt the flood victims,” he said in an allusion to growing allegations about lack of transparency in relief efforts. He insisted though that there was no issue of transparency in the relief efforts being conducted by the government.
The prime minister said he agreed with PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif’s suggestion of forming a committee to monitor the flood relief efforts. “I am evolving a strategy to remove some technical hindrances in its formation,” he said.
“The purpose of my visit is to meet flood victims in person and ask them what elected representatives in their area are doing for them,” Gilani told reporters on his way to Hyderabad airport.
The premier promised that the federal government would do everything in its power to support the provincial government in its relief efforts. “I promise that we will not leave people in their hour of need. The government is completely with you,” he said.
Pointing out the magnitude of the disaster, the prime minister said that 17 out of 23 districts in Sindh have been declared calamity-hit and acknowledged that the impact of the disaster was greater than previously estimated. “I realise that the internally displaced people are enduring great hardship. The government is trying its best to make sure that there is clean drinking water, food and medicines at the relief camps,” he said.
Gilani also visited two relief camps in Hyderabad, including one at Latifabad’s Kausar area and Qasimabad’s Wahdat Colony. The prime minister announced that each family affected by the flooding would be given Rs20,000 to help them rebuild their lives. “We are currently in the process of making damage assessments and trying to find out how many crops, houses and cattle each victim has lost. Once we know that, the government will provide due compensation to each victim,” he said.
National Assembly Speaker Dr Fehmida Mirza, who was accompanying the prime minister, said a proper survey will be conducted first before people are compensated.
Earlier, Hyderabad’s district coordinating officer said that schools and colleges will remain closed until August 27. The prime minister was given a detailed briefing on the floods at the start of his Kotri Barrage tour.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 26th, 2010.
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