News
Friday, September 17, 2010
President lauds US for good gesture to flood victims
* US envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke, UNHCR High Commissioner Antonio Guterres call on president
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday appreciated the US leadership for the humanitarian gesture and the assistance it had extended to the people of Pakistan in the face of devastating floods.
“The US government has provided $217 million to support immediate relief and initial recovery through the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the United Nations emergency response plan and many other local and international organisations,” the president said while talking to US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke at the Presidency on Thursday.
US Ambassador to Pakistan Anne W Patterson and other members of the US delegation were also present during the meeting, while various government officials, including Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir and the president’s spokesman Farhatullah Babar attended the meeting.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Babar said the assistance from the US included halal meals, pre-fabricated steel bridges, infrastructure and air support for transportation of goods and rescue of stranded people, plastic sheets to provide shelter for water treatment plants, 30 helicopters, rescue boats, food assistance worth $51.5 million, besides launching of a programme to provide 4,800 households in Swat.
Meanwhile, UNHCR High Commissioner Antonio Guterres also called on President Zardari at the Presidency on Thursday. The president appreciated the valuable contribution of the UNHCR during the recent floods for the affected people. staff report
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk