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Neo · 09-06-2010, 07:38 AM

Pakistan given $1.03 billion so far: 80 percent of aid money to be disbursed through NGOs, says Prime Minister

ISLAMABAD (September 05 2010): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Saturday said that international donor agencies including the United Nations and some foreign countries have so far given $1.03 billion aid besides 137 planeloads of goods and medicines. He said a meeting of Council of Common Interests (CCI) has been summoned on Monday (September 6) and the Chief Ministers of all the four provinces would participate in the meeting.

He said 80 percent international aid money would be disbursed through Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and 20 percent through government to flood-hit areas for reconstruction and rehabilitation across the country. He said the aid of 137 foreign aircraft containing goods and medicines have been distributed among the flood victims of the four provinces.

He added that aid money was not given to the provinces so far. He said the UN, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Saudi Arabia, UK, US, Germany, Turkey, UAE, European Unions (EU) and other counties are assisting Pakistan in this testing time. Addressing the National Assembly on Saturday, the Prime Minster said as many as 79 districts and 20 million people have been affected due to the devastating floods.

He said Pakistan has faced the loss of Rs 350 to 500 billion in the field of livestock. He added floods have affected 30 percent agriculture land of Pakistan. He said 1.3 million homes were destroyed, resultantly 7.5 people rendered homeless. He added that over 1600 persons were killed and 2600 injured in floods. The Prime Minister said as many as 1000 bridges, 4000-km roads and many electricity installations have been destroyed, adding that billions of rupees are required for their reconstruction. He said the UN has termed the floods as the worst.

"I appeal to all political parties to show solidarity and join hands in this hour of need to cope with the looming crisis. It is time to alleviate the hardships of the flood victims instead of indulging in political mileage," Gilani said. He also announced to convene All Parties Conference soon to discuss flood situation and the government plan for relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction in the flood-affected areas with political consensus. He said all political parties inside and outside the parliament would be invited to the conference.

The Prime Minister appreciated the role of Pak Army in flood-hit areas saying that the military has rescued 1.4 million people. He said as many as 497 health centers have been set up in the affected areas and 3322 Lady Health Workers are performing their duties in 52 districts. He said National Steering Committee on Health has also been set up while Diarrhea Treatment Centers have been established in 44 districts.

He said National Oversight Disaster Management Council has been constituted for transparent distribution of assistance among the affected people. He said the EU has increased aid from $30 million to $70 million for flood affected areas. He said the figure has reached Rs 4 billion in the account of Prime Minister for flood affected people.

Commenting on the Leader of Opposition's remarks, the Prime Minster said he agreed that government organisations including army needed government permission for fund rising. These organisations should recognise for collecting fund and accountability. About the accountability, the Prime Minister said that the Accountability Bill would soon be presented in the Parliament for setting up an independent body.

About setting up of commission, he said under 18th Amendment the provinces got autonomy. The provinces would collect funds instead of central commission. He said decision would be taken in the CCI meeting on Monday. The Prime Minister also announced to celebrate Eid with flood affected people. During his policy statement in the National Assembly on flood situation, the Prime Minister also announced not to hold 'Darbar' at the Prime Minister House on Eid ul Fitr.

"I announce to celebrate Eid with flood affected people. We cannot leave them alone. We need to console them and share their miseries," he said. "This time Eid Darbar shall also not be held at Prime Minister House," he added. The Prime Minister directed his Cabinet members to lay special focus on the affected areas and celebrate Eid with the flood-affected people in different areas.

Later, taking part in the debate on floods, the members demanded of the government to constitute a Judicial Commission to investigate the breaching banks of rivers and canals. While taking part in the debate, opposition members observed that the government adopted a casual attitude while dealing with the flood situation and no serious measure was taken to cope with the grave crisis. They said the government should take into confidence all political forces and devise a joint strategy to meet this challenge.

The Treasury members were of the view that the government despite meagre resources is taking solid measures to provide immediate relief to the flood victims. They said it is not the time for political point scoring. The opposition should join hands with the government in relief and rehabilitation activities.

They said the federal government has devised a comprehensive plan to provide relief and initiate rehabilitation and reconstruction activities in the affected areas. Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan said the proposal emanating from the members would be placed before the meeting of the Council of Common Interests. He said the government would implement these proposals.

Those who took part in the debate included Federal Minister Ejaz Hussain Jhakrani, former Justice Fakharunnisa Khokhar, Syed Ayaz Ali Shah, Humayun Saifullah, Sher Muhammad Baluch, Syed Saqlain Bokhari, Gul Muhammad Jakhrani, Dr Abdul Qadir Khanzada, Aftab Shaban Mirani, Marvi Memon, Dr Ramesh Kumar, Akram Masih Gill, Shamshad Sattar Bachani, Munawar Lal, Sardar Bahadur Khan, Bushra Gohar, Akhundzada Chattan, Farzana Mushtaq, Kashmala Tariq and others. Later, the House was prorogued for indefinite period.

Business Recorder [Pakistan's First Financial Daily]

09-06-2010, 07:38 AM	#45 (permalink)
Neo Administrator Lt. General Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 8,954 Thanks: 514 Thanked 447 Times in 371 Posts	Re: Pakistan Flooding Pakistan given $1.03 billion so far: 80 percent of aid money to be disbursed through NGOs, says Prime Minister ISLAMABAD (September 05 2010): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Saturday said that international donor agencies including the United Nations and some foreign countries have so far given $1.03 billion aid besides 137 planeloads of goods and medicines. He said a meeting of Council of Common Interests (CCI) has been summoned on Monday (September 6) and the Chief Ministers of all the four provinces would participate in the meeting. He said 80 percent international aid money would be disbursed through Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and 20 percent through government to flood-hit areas for reconstruction and rehabilitation across the country. He said the aid of 137 foreign aircraft containing goods and medicines have been distributed among the flood victims of the four provinces. He added that aid money was not given to the provinces so far. He said the UN, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Saudi Arabia, UK, US, Germany, Turkey, UAE, European Unions (EU) and other counties are assisting Pakistan in this testing time. Addressing the National Assembly on Saturday, the Prime Minster said as many as 79 districts and 20 million people have been affected due to the devastating floods. He said Pakistan has faced the loss of Rs 350 to 500 billion in the field of livestock. He added floods have affected 30 percent agriculture land of Pakistan. He said 1.3 million homes were destroyed, resultantly 7.5 people rendered homeless. He added that over 1600 persons were killed and 2600 injured in floods. The Prime Minister said as many as 1000 bridges, 4000-km roads and many electricity installations have been destroyed, adding that billions of rupees are required for their reconstruction. He said the UN has termed the floods as the worst. "I appeal to all political parties to show solidarity and join hands in this hour of need to cope with the looming crisis. It is time to alleviate the hardships of the flood victims instead of indulging in political mileage," Gilani said. He also announced to convene All Parties Conference soon to discuss flood situation and the government plan for relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction in the flood-affected areas with political consensus. He said all political parties inside and outside the parliament would be invited to the conference. The Prime Minister appreciated the role of Pak Army in flood-hit areas saying that the military has rescued 1.4 million people. He said as many as 497 health centers have been set up in the affected areas and 3322 Lady Health Workers are performing their duties in 52 districts. He said National Steering Committee on Health has also been set up while Diarrhea Treatment Centers have been established in 44 districts. He said National Oversight Disaster Management Council has been constituted for transparent distribution of assistance among the affected people. He said the EU has increased aid from $30 million to $70 million for flood affected areas. He said the figure has reached Rs 4 billion in the account of Prime Minister for flood affected people. Commenting on the Leader of Opposition's remarks, the Prime Minster said he agreed that government organisations including army needed government permission for fund rising. These organisations should recognise for collecting fund and accountability. About the accountability, the Prime Minister said that the Accountability Bill would soon be presented in the Parliament for setting up an independent body. About setting up of commission, he said under 18th Amendment the provinces got autonomy. The provinces would collect funds instead of central commission. He said decision would be taken in the CCI meeting on Monday. The Prime Minister also announced to celebrate Eid with flood affected people. During his policy statement in the National Assembly on flood situation, the Prime Minister also announced not to hold 'Darbar' at the Prime Minister House on Eid ul Fitr. "I announce to celebrate Eid with flood affected people. We cannot leave them alone. We need to console them and share their miseries," he said. "This time Eid Darbar shall also not be held at Prime Minister House," he added. The Prime Minister directed his Cabinet members to lay special focus on the affected areas and celebrate Eid with the flood-affected people in different areas. Later, taking part in the debate on floods, the members demanded of the government to constitute a Judicial Commission to investigate the breaching banks of rivers and canals. While taking part in the debate, opposition members observed that the government adopted a casual attitude while dealing with the flood situation and no serious measure was taken to cope with the grave crisis. They said the government should take into confidence all political forces and devise a joint strategy to meet this challenge. The Treasury members were of the view that the government despite meagre resources is taking solid measures to provide immediate relief to the flood victims. They said it is not the time for political point scoring. The opposition should join hands with the government in relief and rehabilitation activities. They said the federal government has devised a comprehensive plan to provide relief and initiate rehabilitation and reconstruction activities in the affected areas. Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs Babar Awan said the proposal emanating from the members would be placed before the meeting of the Council of Common Interests. He said the government would implement these proposals. Those who took part in the debate included Federal Minister Ejaz Hussain Jhakrani, former Justice Fakharunnisa Khokhar, Syed Ayaz Ali Shah, Humayun Saifullah, Sher Muhammad Baluch, Syed Saqlain Bokhari, Gul Muhammad Jakhrani, Dr Abdul Qadir Khanzada, Aftab Shaban Mirani, Marvi Memon, Dr Ramesh Kumar, Akram Masih Gill, Shamshad Sattar Bachani, Munawar Lal, Sardar Bahadur Khan, Bushra Gohar, Akhundzada Chattan, Farzana Mushtaq, Kashmala Tariq and others. Later, the House was prorogued for indefinite period. Business Recorder [Pakistan's First Financial Daily]