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High-level meeting at UN to discuss Pakistan’s flood situation
UNITED NATIONS, Sept 19 (APP): Top diplomats from around the world will meet Sunday evening to discuss the on-going relief efforts for millions of victims of devastating floods in Pakistan. The meeting to be co-chaired by Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon—follows Friday’s launch of United Nations’ upgraded appeal to help the flood-battered country deal with the grave humanitarian situation.The new appeal was the largest one ever issued by the United Nations.
Previously, the biggest natural disaster appeal was for victims of Haiti’s January earthquake which totaled nearly $1.5 billion.
Officials said Sunday’s meeting on the flood situation will express solidarity with and support for Pakistan to help the country meet the huge challenges posed by the worst-ever natural disaster.
Although it is not billed as a pledging meeting, a senior UN official said some countries were likely to announce new contributions for the relief of nearly 21 million flood victims.
At the outset, the head of Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority, Gen. Nadeem Ahmed, will brief the distinguished gathering on the flood situation.
Among those attending will be US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and also foreign ministers of China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, France, Spain, Australia, Iran, Bahrain, Norway and Oman.
A high-level representative of the European Union and heads of the World Bank and the Asian Development bank will also take part.
“This is a follow up to a similar gathering that was held in August and was designed to encourage and rally support for humanitarian relief in that country,” the official said.
US Special Representative for Pakistan and Afghanistan Richard Hollbrooke, currently in Pakistan, will also attend the conference.
Courtesy www.app.com.pk