News
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Gilani seeks UN help in weather warning system
* PM calls for carrying forward FoDP initiatives, fast tracking of Malakand Development Strategy g UN envoy says 40pc of amount committed by donors disbursed in flood relief
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Tuesday sought United Nations’ assistance in developing flood forecasting and early weather warning system for Pakistan before the monsoon season.
Talking to Rauf Engin Soysal, special envoy of the UN secretary general for assistance to Pakistan, at the PM’s House, Gilani appreciated UN’s support and special envoy’s dedicated work for the flood-affected people of the country. Special Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Muhammad Haroon Shaukat and other senior officials were also present in the meeting.
The prime minister lauded the personal commitment of Soysal, who extensively visited the flood-hit areas to oversee work of all UN agencies during the relief and recovery phases after the unprecedented floods. He commended the envoy for his proactive efforts with Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FoDP) for implementation of energy sector plan of action, which had been approved by the third FoDP ministerial meeting in Brussels last year.
Gilani called for building on the progress achieved in various areas of FoDP process and fast tracking of implementation of Malakand Development Strategy. He hoped that as Pakistan moves from early recovery to medium and long-term construction and development phase, the UN will undertake an impact assessment of the international assistance routed through the UN agencies.
Ambassador Soysal briefed the PM about his meetings early in the month with the UN secretary general and the executive director of United Nations Office for Project Services (UNDP) in New York and the United States administration officials in Washington. He also apprised him about his efforts to generate funding for the early recovery phase of Pakistan’s flood-affected areas. He said against the UN appeal, the donor countries have committed around 67 percent of the required amount out of which 40 percent has been disbursed in the relief and early recovery phases.
Soysal agreed with Gilani about the need of reinvigorating the FoDP, implementation of Malakand Development Strategy and establishment of an early flood forecasting and weather warning system as genuine needs for near future. He said the next capacity building workshop for disaster emergency would be held in Turkey under the auspices of FoDP, and a preparatory workshop on the same would be held in Islamabad.
He also apprised the prime minister that his office was working with the UNDP representative in Pakistan in flood-affected areas to help resume economic activities and assured Gilani that he would continue doing his utmost to meet the targets set forth by UN secretary general and the Pakistan PM. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk