News
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Haqqani urges US for sustainable flood relief efforts in Pakistan* Envoy to US says church aid symbolises joint effort by faiths
SALT LAKE CITY: Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US Hussain Haqqani has urged sustained help for Pakistan’s flood recovery and thanked the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for sending relief assistance worth $3 million for victims of the epic natural disaster.
Haqqani, who flew into the capital of the American state, met the president of the church, Thomas Monson, and praised its work in support of the suffering humanity as an inspiring example for others.
“It (aid for flood victims) symbolises the fact that the people of all faiths can work together and need to strengthen each other in times of humanitarian crisis,” the diplomat noted at a press conference following his meeting with the LDS leaders.
The church had partnered with known aid organizations, including International Relief and Development, the International Medical Corps and Islamic Relief USA, to distribute 400,000 pounds of essential supplies for the flood victims including food, blankets, medical and school items.
In terms of Pakistan-US ties, Haqqani remarked that the church aid gesture means that “the people of faith in the US respect the people of Pakistan as fellow humans, irrespective of the differences in faith”.
The envoy described his meeting with the LDS church leadership as useful and indicated continued cooperation towards the relief of flood-affectees, including the possibility of an additional field hospital and constant flow of food items, water purification help and medical supplies.
He also appreciated the US administration and corporate sector’s help for Pakistan’s daunting rescue and relief mission over one-fourth of the country’s land, including huge swathes of farmland inundated by monsoon floods.
Underscoring the plight of more than 20 million afflicted people and a combination of challenges confronting the South Asian nation, Ambassador Haqqani drew attention to the need for continued American assistance through various stages of recovery.
“Of the 20 million affected, eight million are children, 800,000 to a million are expecting mothers, the needs are far greater,” he emphasised, saying he had travelled to the region to appeal to the people of Utah and other Western states to keep up their tradition of aid-giving generosity and concern in the face of humanitarian catastrophes. app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk