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Amid world support, FM Qureshi pledges best use of flood aid
By Iftikhar Ali and Ali ImranUNITED NATIONS, Sept 20 (APP): Pakistan has vowed to use international aid efficiently and transparently to provide relief to around 21 million flood afflicted people as Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi expected long-term reconstruction support in the face of catastrophic losses over one fifth of the country’s land. After co-chairing a special conference of world diplomats with UN Secretary General Ban ki-Moon here Sunday evening, Qureshi told reporters that Islamabad is also committed to raising additional national resources to complement the enormous support.
“We will use every dollar in a efficient and transparent manner,” he said answering questions about the international community’s emphasis on best use of the aid.
“We have put in place an elaborate and tralnsparent mechanism for the most efficient utilization of relief assistance, “Qureshi said.
The meeting at UN headquarters in New York - which lasted 90 minutes - was attended by U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and senior diplomats from the European Union, the oil-rich Arab world, Pakistan’s traditional friends China and Turkey and leaders of international financial institution.
The foreign minister also reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to press ahead with economic reforms despite the staggering flood recovery costs and said it will devise a comprehensive plan for reconstruction in the flood zones.
“We will rebuild our country ---- the Pakistanis are a resilient nation ---- it will take three to five years to rebuild the devastated areas,” he said referring to colossal damage to infrastructure, crops and houses.
The foreign minister told the conference earlier that Pakistan has established the National Oversight Disaster Management Council (NODMC) through a consultative and inclusive process.
“This independent and powerful body comprises fifteen eminent people of unblemished integrity and good standing from cross-section of Pakistan.”
He added a dedicated website is also being created by the National Disaster Management Authority to track all assistance and its utilization.
At the outset of the conference, Gen (retd) Nadeem Ahmed, who heads NDMA, informed the world community of the extent of damages and the assistance required to meet immediate relief work in the floo-hit areas.
UN Secretary Ban ki-Moon said the international community stands by Pakistan.
“We are here because the Pakistan fare one of the biggest, most complex natural disasters we have faced in the history of the United Nations,” said Ban, who was among the first world leaders to visit Pakistan.
Secretary Clinton, in her remarks, said Washington has so far contributed $ 340 million to the flood relief and promised continued help for the ally in the recovery phases.Courtesy www.app.com.pk