Massive floods across Pakistan | Thousands Killed

[Hutchroy]

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

No action despite warning

Sir: Pakistan was warned at least 19 months in advance about the devastating floods in an international conference held in Islamabad. Surprisingly, no effective flood control plan was prepared by Pakistan’s federal government, particularly the Federal Flood Commission. The Chairman of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Dr Rajendra Kumar Pachauri had said, “Pakistan is witnessing severe pressures on natural resources and environment.”Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani attended the session on January 13, 2009. He was obviously disturbed by the facts provided by the chief guest, Mr Pachauri, that “environment degradation would cost Pakistan five percent of GDP every year”. I request PM Gilani to clarify why no strategy was planned despite the early warning. The PM should take the Chairman Federal Flood Commission, Zarar Aslam, to task, who, instead of admitting the failure of his organisation by not taking precautionary measures to avert the flood devastation, seems busy in issuing politically motivated statements. The floods resulted in the loss of precious lives and mega destruction of infrastructure.

M KHAN SIAL

Karachi

 

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Netherlands will continue to support Pakistan: Ambassador

LAHORE: The Dutch Ambassador reiterated the contributions made by the Netherlands for the relief of the flood victims in Pakistan.This was stated when HE Joost Reintjes called upon Mr Salman Taseer in Lahore. The most recent contribution was the amount collected by the charity hockey match which was played in Rotterdam on Tuesday.The match between the Netherlands and Pakistan in Rotterdam raised EUR 80831.66.
After the match, which the Orangemen won 8-2, KNHB-President Jan Albers handed the Giro555 cheque for the amount to Pakistani Ambassador Aizaz Ahmad Chaudry. Prior to this the Dutch public has raised more than 25 million USD for emergency aid to the victims of the floods in Pakistan, This generosity has been triggered by a nation-wide campaign which dominated the airwaves in the Netherlands for several days. The funds will go towards the provision of food, shelter, medical care, clean water and sanitation for the victims of the floods. In addition to the public’s charity, the Netherlands government has pledged a total of over 11 million USD for emergency aid to the flood victims. The Ambassador emphasized the Netherlands continuing support to Pakistan in this time of need.—Agency

 

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Associated Press Of Pakistan ( Pakistan's Premier NEWS Agency ) - Germany increases its pledge to 35 million Euro for flood victims of Pakistan

Germany increases its pledge to 35 million Euro for flood victims of Pakistan

ISLAMABAD, Sep 24 (APP): Germany has increased its humanitarian assistance to the flood affected areas of Pakistan to Euro 35 million (Rs. 3.75 billion) which will be disbursed through various international organizations and NGOs. German ambassador to Pakistan Dr. Michael Koch while addressing a press conference here at German embassy said this Euro 35 million pledge equal to $47 million, is from German government alone while in kind assistance from German Ministry of Defence was in addition to this help.



Giving further details of the German humanitarian assistance, the German embassador said these funds come in equal parts from the Federal foreign Office and the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development.
He said besides this assistance, the German Non Governmental Organizations, international committee of Red Cross and several UN humanitarian organizations are providing assistance on the ground.
He said German federal forces have provided donations in kind worth 3 million euro and the federal forces are also contributing to the NATO air bridge.
The ambassador said, “Germany is providing further support through various multilateral institutions that it co-finances, which have themselves made a substantial contribution to relief efforts.
Apart from the German federal government, he said, the citizens of German have donated 161 million euro (Rs. 17.2 billion) which was challenged through NGOs.
The ambassador said over 23 recipient German organizations are working in Pakistan on various projects in the flood affected areas and their contribution is not included in the German assistance of Rs. 3.75 billion pledge.
He said in addition to this pledge, the German government is also providing its contribution through European Union community.
Referring to the funds raised by German public, he said, the German people generated 161 euro ($215 million) and these funds are being utilized through NGOs.
He said Pakistani community in Germany was also active in generating funds for the flood affected people in Pakistan.
The German ambassador said, “Germany wants to stand with Pakistan in this need of hour.”
Replying to a question, he said, couple of dozens German NGOs are working in the flood affected areas and providing basic needs of life including clean drinking water. He said special “water treatment plant” has been imported from Germany to provide clean drinking water to flood victims.
He said so far 23 such plants have been provided in the flood affected areas. One such plant provide clean drinking water to 200 people per day and its cost is $700.
Answering a question about decision of EU council to give more concessions to Pakistan for more access to trade, the German embassador said there are many options still being discussed in this regard.
He said, “Germany will support Pakistan in getting more concession to access to European market” adding that Germany want to resolve the issue as early as possible so that Pakistani business community could get full benefit with delay.
Regarding giving direct assistance to Pakistan for flood affected areas, the German ambassador said, it is international practice to provide such assistance through United Nations and other international organizations.
He however clarified that 35 million euro from German is just humanitarian assistance, and added that Germany would ensure full help and cooperation in the reconstruction and rehabilitation process which will be started later on after the assessment of the losses in the flood damaged areas.

 

[Aeon]

EU doubles Pakistan flood aid to 150 million euros
Friday, 01 Oct, 2010

BRUSSELS: The European Commission has decided to more than double its Pakistan flood aid to 150 million euros (205 million dollars), the European Union's humanitarian aid chief said Friday.

The EU's executive arm has already provided 70 million euros in aid and will now distribute another 80 million euros to its partner organisations, European humanitarian aid commissioner Kristalina Georgieva told a news conference.

“Our own staff in Pakistan confirms that more financial resources will translate into more lives saved and more people helped,” she said.

“For that reason we have decided in the commission to more than double our humanitarian support to Pakistan.”

Combined with contributions from national governments, the European Union's support for Pakistan now totals 400 million euros, she said.

Torrential rain began falling in northern Pakistan in July and the floods have since moved slowly south, wiping out villages and farmland and affecting an area roughly the size of England.

The United Nations has issued a record two-billion-dollar appeal for funds to cope with the disaster, which UN agencies say affected 21 million people and left 12 million in need of emergency food aid.

The new European aid will be directed primarily to the south of the country, Georgieva said.

“The floods in Pakistan continue to present an enormous challenge,” she said.

A more “comprehensive package” will be presented at the Friends of Democratic Pakistan meeting in Brussels on October 14-15 to be hosted by EU chief diplomat Catherine Ashton and attended by Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, she said.

“The European Union is aware of the massive scale of the rebuilding tasks,” Georgieva said.

“We are preparing a wide-ranging package to assist the Pakistani people in their efforts, including trade arrangements and development funding.” – AFP

 

[Aeon]

UN launch 120 million dollar flood victim scheme
ISLAMABAD (1st October 2010)

Pakistan and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Friday launched a 120 million dollar programme to help people rebuild their lives following the country’s recent devastating floods.

“The one-year programme, which is part of a broader UN emergency response plan, aims at restoring livelihoods through job creation, repairing basic community infrastructure,” the UN agency said in a statement.

Torrential rain began falling in northwestern Pakistan in July and the floods have since moved slowly south, wiping out villages and farmland and affecting an area roughly the size of England.

The United Nations has issued a record two-billion-dollar appeal for funds to cope with the disaster, which UN agencies say affected 21 million people and left 12 million in need of emergency food aid.

“There is not a moment to lose. It is critical that winter crops are planted so that millions of farmers do not become dependent on food,” said the statement, quoting UNDP country director Toshihiro Tanaka.

“Jobs need to be created through cash-for-work schemes so that affected communities start to become self-reliant,” it said, adding: “early recovery is crucial for the country’s long-term development.

The programme aims to revive livelihoods across 39 of the most affected districts by offering grants to 2,500 small and home-based businesses.

People affected by floods will also be provided agricultural goods, including seeds and fertilizers, and creating temporary work to repair roads, water facilities and protection walls.

 

[Aeon]

20,250 affected families get Watan Card
SUKKUR (1st October 2010)

As many as 20250 flood hit families got financial assistance under Watan Card scheme in district Sukkur, DDO Revenue Sukkur Sameer Ali Syed said here on Friday.

He said that two centres have been set up at Sukkur Taluka.

The official said that on an average some 1800 Watan Cards were being issued from both the centres regularly, adding that the schedule for distribution of these cards was announced in the concerned areas.

 

[alibaz]

Gilani assures equal disbursement of aid to flood victims
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has assured an equal distribution of aid among the flood affectees, saying that the government is cognizant of the victims’ plight.
Addressing the Watan Card distribution ceremony in Kot Addu on Saturday, the PM pledged a Rs 0.1million aid to the flood-hit people soon. He promised to build the homeless people houses within two months. He said that all the political parties are united to help the flood-ravaged people, adding that transparency in aid pouring from abroad would be ensured. He said that the Federal government is making efforts to rebuild the damaged infrastructure across the country. Earlier, CM Punjab Shahbaz Sahrif has said that out of Rs20,000, ten thousand is sponsored by the Centre while the rest is being afforded by the provincial government.

 

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EU offers trade-tied aid, suspends import duties
Thursday, 07 Oct, 2010

BRUSSELS: Europe offered a major trade boost to flood-ravaged Pakistan on Thursday, proposing to lift duties on 75 Pakistani imports as part of an aid-linked package designed to ease recovery from the catastrophe.

The unilateral suspension of duties, available for the next three years, concerns goods accounting for 27 per cent of Pakistan's current imports to the EU.

Lifting duties on the products, which include textiles, would result in an estimated increase of European Union imports from Pakistan to the tune of around 100 million euros, the EU said.

European trade commissioner Karel De Gucht said the proposal “will offer a real boost to Pakistan's economic recovery while at the same time take into account sensitivities of EU industries,” which are fearful of preferential treatment for Pakistan's cheaper textiles.

The EU said the products represented only a small portion of such goods imported from Pakistan, currently close to 15 billion euros (20.6 billion doillars).

The package, suggested by Britain, will be presented for approval to member states and the European parliament in the next few days.

Pakistan's catastrophic floods have left 10 million people without shelter.

European leaders last month said “the severity of this crisis demands an immediate and substantial response, taking also into account the strategic importance of Pakistan's development, security and stability in the region.” They agreed to grant Pakistan increased market access to the EU and to promote Pakistan's case to be granted special favours by the World Trade Organization.

There has been concern also that the disaster could promote extremism and fundamentalism in Pakistan.

 

[Aeon]

Preliminary WB report puts flood losses at $9.5bn
Wednesday, 13 Oct, 2010

ISLAMABAD: A preliminary Damage Need Assessment (DNA) report prepared by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank says that Pakistan suffered a loss of about $9.5 billion (over Rs800 billion) in recent floods, in terms of damaged crops, infrastructure and public and private property in the four provinces and Fata.

The report has been presented to the Planning Commission and the government is preparing a presentation for the Friends of Democratic Pakistan meeting to be held in Brussels.

According to the report, Sindh suffered the maximum damage amounting to around Rs350 billion, followed by Punjab Rs253 billion, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rs103 billion, Balochistan Rs55 billion and Fata Rs5 billion.

Individuals, it said, suffered losses of crops and livestock to the tune of Rs428 billion.

Sources in the planning commission said the report had only highlighted the damage caused by floods, but the reconstruction of infrastructure again and compensation to be paid to people who had lost their sources of livelihood would cast between $25 billion to $30 billion.—Kalbe Ali

 

[Solomon2]

A preliminary Damage Need Assessment (DNA) report prepared by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank says that Pakistan suffered a loss of about $9.5 billion (over Rs800 billion) in recent floods...According to the report, Sindh suffered the maximum damage amounting to around Rs350 billion, followed by Punjab Rs253 billion, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rs103 billion, Balochistan Rs55 billion and Fata Rs5 billion.

I suspect bias or possibly ignorance in operation here. I think you'll find most of the Pakistanis in or reporting to the WB and ADB are Sindhis and Pujabis. Naturally they are better connected with the situation in their home provinces than elsewhere. I would wait for a more thorough report before planning to set an upper limit or lower priority upon the needs of the other provinces.

 

[Aeon]

Turkey to fully support Pakistan in rehabilitation
Wednesday, 13 Oct, 2010

ISLAMABAD: Turkey on Wednesday assured Pakistan of support in the rehabilitation and reconstruction in the flood affected areas of the country and hoped the international community would join in the colossal effort.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan who specially flew into Pakistan last night to meet the flood affected people, following Pakistan’s worst ever natural calamity said the sorrows and joys of the people of Pakistan were felt equally by the people of Turkey.

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani appreciated Turkey's support to Pakistan in its hour of need and lauded the “exceptional gesture of solidarity” by the people and government of Turkey.

At a breakfast meeting with his Turkish counterpart at the PM House, Gilani was also appreciative of the visit of the wife of Turkish Prime Minister for visiting Pakistan to express solidarity with the flood victims.

He also thanked the “generous and substantial funds” of US $ 200 million; $ 126 million of which were donated by the Turkish business community and people for PM's fund for the flood affected.

Gilani commended Turkey as the first country for starting building of pre-fabricated home villages for the flood affected in Nowshera and 2000 more for 10,000 affected people in Muzaffargarh.

He expressed gratitude to the wife of Turkish PM for mobilising the international community for the flood victims.

Prime Minister Erdogan assured the Prime Minister that his government and people would steadfastly stand by their Pakistani brethren during the process of rehabilitation and reconstruction.

Prime Minister Gilani said his government and people will never forget Turkey's exceptional support during and after the devastating floods and recalled that Turkey similarly stood by Pakistan in rehabilitation and reconstruction of earthquake affected areas in 2005.

The Prime Minister briefed his Turkish counterpart on the efforts for rehabilitation and recovery in the flood affected areas and apprised him about the establishment of the National Oversight Disaster Management Council (NODMC) under the auspices of the Council of Common Interest.

Gilani said the NODMC has been tasked to ensure that required resources for the onerous task of rehabilitation and reconstruction are collected and disbursed transparently, efficiently, effectively and equitably.

The Prime Minister said the economic impact of the floods was colossal and hoped the damage need and assessment report of World Bank and ADB would be finalised during the week. He said the cost of rehabilitation and long term reconstruction was expected to run into tens of billions of dollars.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan would be sharing its national strategy for rehabilitation and reconstruction with the development partners in the forthcoming meeting of the Pakistan Development Forum next month.

Gilani sought Turkey's support to its national efforts to rebuild lives and properties of its people and added that Pakistan was greatly encouraged by Turkey's offer for getting involved in reconstruction of infrastructure in Pakistan.

Gilani dilated on the cordial ties between the two countries rooted in centuries old bonds of history, culture and religion, and said his government was determined to build upon the existing excellent relations with Turkey on geo-economic advantages and take them to unprecedented level.

He said both countries should strive to raise level of trade to two billion US dollars by 2012 and said the Turkish government should encourage its private sector to collaborate closely with its Pakistani counterparts in key sectors like construction, infrastructure, engineering, energy, agriculture, telecommunications, mining and textile etc.

He urged the opening of branches of Turkish Banks in Pakistan to strengthen trade and investment ties, besides upgrading rail and road links between the two countries and running of fast cargo trains between Islamabad and Istanbul on a regular basis. He hoped both countries will engage with Iran for the early up-gradation of rail and road links to fast track this project.

Prime Minister Erdogan invited Prime Minister Gilani to visit Ankara next month to participate in the second High Level Cooperation Council Meeting to steer their unique partnership for expanded cooperation in multifaceted fields.

Erdogan agreed with Gilani that Pakistan alone cannot face the enormous challenge of rehabilitation and long term reconstruction of the devastation caused by massive floods.

He hoped international community would realise the magnitude of economic difficulties faced by Pakistan to meet this challenge. — APP

 

[GUNNER]

US Envoy Seeks Europe Aid For Pakistan

PARIS, Oct 13, 2010 (AFP) - The US envoy for Pakistan on Wednesday urged Europe to help boost aid to the victims of devastating floods there that have left millions homeless.

"The situation in Pakistan is extraordinary. An area larger than Italy was put under water, over 20 million people were affected," Richard Holbrooke told reporters in Paris.

"The amount of money to reconstruct what has been destroyed in Pakistan is going to be in the tens of billions of dollars," he said. "People are desperate to go back to their land and homes but there are no homes to go back to."

Holbrooke was to meet French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner before visiting officials in Brussels.

He also met officials in Berlin on Tuesday and said he would head to Rome on Monday for a meeting on Afghanistan with NATO, UN and US military officials and representatives of Muslim countries.

Holbrooke denied any link between his efforts for Pakistan and the US fight to stamp out Taliban and Al-Qaeda extremists in northwestern tribal regions near the border with Afghanistan.

"We are not helping in the flood zones as part of the war against the Taliban. We are doing it because it's the right thing to do for 20 million people," Holbrooke said. "It's not strategic, it's not political, it's humanitarian."

 

[alibaz]

SLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari Wednesday called for upgradation of the Pak-Turkey rail link for increased trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.

He was talking to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan who called on him here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.

Briefing the media spokesman to the President Farhatullah Babar said the President reiterated the proposal of upgradation of railway line between the two countries and urged the Turkish Prime Minister to seriously consider the proposal.

He said that Pakistan was eager to further enhance mutual cooperation between the two countries for taking maximum advantage of the existing potential of the two countries and to fully translate their equation into a strategic partnership.

He said that railway line upgradation project between the two countries was one such step for not only speedy transportation of the cargo but would also open new vistas of opportunities for the people and would contribute towards economic development.

The President said there was a need to urgently evaluate similar projects so as to move forward on vigorously pursuing the raising of finances.

The President also suggested a currency swap agreement between the two countries to facilitate business, trade and commerce.

Babar said the President also felicitated Turkish Prime Minister on the vote for a series of democratic measures in the recently held referendum.

He hailed the verdict on reform package as a triumph of democracy and democratic processes and recalled recent democratic reform in the shape of 18th Constitutional Amendment in Pakistan.

The President also appreciated Turkish Government's generous assistance, both in cash and kind, for providing relief to flood-hit people of Pakistan and also its pledge to actively participate in reconstruction and rehabilitation activities for the flood affected people.

He said the government and people of Pakistan greatly value sensitivity and the support of the Turkish people and government at this hour of distress.

The President said both the countries need to aim at increasing their trade and investments equations and further cooperate especially in transport, telecommunications, manufacturing, tourism and other industries.

Discussing regional situation, the President said that Turkey has an important role to play for not only bringing in socio-economic development in the region but also for stability of the region. He said that regional issues can be addressed by regional powers and finding indigenous solutions.

Prime Minister Erdogan thanked the President for the warm welcome and said that Turkey would continue to support Pakistan and its people at every critical moment and would actively participate in the reconstruction and rehabilitation phase for the flood affected.

He said that the Turkish government would consider the proposal of Currency Swap Agreement.

Earlier, the prime ministers of the two countries had a meeting and discussed maters of common interests.

Over 193.3 million Turkish Liras (TL) (nearly $133 million) have been collected as of October 12, 2010 in three separate aid campaigns launched in Turkey in an effort to help flood-hit Pakistan.

Turkey sent humanitarian aid worth of $25 million for flood victims in Pakistan so far and will also help Pakistan in its rebuilding process.

Erdogan is accompanied by State Minister & Deputy Premier Cemil Cicek, Education Minister Nimet Cubukcu, Health Minister Recep Akdag, Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim, Public Works & Housing Minister Mustafa Demir, Environment & Forestry Minister Veysel Eroglu and Turkey-Pakistan Inter-parliamentary Friendship Group Chairman Burhan Kayaturk.

The appointment of Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy Undersecretary for Political Affairs with Southern Asia, Middle East & Africa Rauf Engin Soysal as UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Assistance to Pakistan. "will contribute to our efforts to heal wounds of flood survivors," Erdogan stated.

Turkey also sent 244 tons relief support including vaccines, medicine, medical stuff, a 42-member medical team, two fully equipped mobile hospitals, an ambulance, and a 4x4 truck for medical rescue efforts.

PM, President meet Turkish PM

 

[alibaz]

Flood affectees protest against WB-funded project

ISLAMABAD - Hundreds of flood affectees observed hunger strike against World Bank funded Taunsa Barrage Rehabilitation and Remodelling Project and demanded an independent investigation commission to ascertain flaws in the design of the project, which had caused colossal flood devastation in Muzaffargarh.
Great number of flood-affected women along with their children and male members were present at the hunger strike camp near World Bank office, Islamabad. They chanted slogans against World Bank and the project. The World Bank funded project had been approved in 2005 and was completed in early 2010.
The protesters were demanding that $140 million loan of the WB should be cancelled and thus released money be allocated for reconstruction and recovery in Muzaffargarh.
They also demanded of the establishment of an independent investigation commission to look into the flaws of the WB funded Taunsa Barrage Rehabilitation and Remodeling Project.
According to Fazal-e-Rabi, spokesman of Sindho Bachao Taralla (Save Indus Movement), |”We are observing this hunger strike to highlight the role of WB funded Taunsa Barrage Rehabilitation and Remodelling Project, which to us has caused exacerbating flood disaster in the whole district as land, houses, crops, animals all were washed away due to ill-conceived design and wrong engineering interventions.
This project had been approved in 2005 and was completed in early 2010". He further informed that the hunger strike would be continued till World Bank announced reparation of recent unprecedented flooding in the area. He complained that the affectees wanted to protest in front of World Bank Office but Islamabad Capital administrations had forcibly stopped them to stay away from World Bank office thus adding to the miseries of the flood victims.

Flood affectees protest against WB-funded project | Pakistan | News | Newspaper | Daily | English | Online

 

[alibaz]

By Sajid Chaudhry

ISLAMABAD: The World Bank (WB) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) in their joint Damage Need Assessment (DNA) have estimated that Pakistan would need $30 billion to reconstruct infrastructure and rehabilitate affected people in the flood-affected areas.

The survey found that the country suffered a loss of $9.5 billion (around Rs 800 billion) to public and private property, crops and other infrastructure in all four provinces and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). The $30 billion estimate covers reconstruction and rehabilitation costs of destroyed infrastructure and compensation of losses in the public and private sector, official sources at the Ministry of Finance confirmed to Daily Times on Tuesday. The banks have shared these figures with the country’s economic managers and a formal announcement would be made at the Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FODP) meeting, scheduled on October 14 in Brussels.

Minister of State for Finance and Economic Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar will represent Pakistan at the FODP meeting, where ADB director general and WB vice president for South Asia are expected to announce the results of DNA. According to the sources, the assessment comprises two parts: estimates of damage caused by the floods and needs of the country for reconstruction and rehabilitation of infrastructure and compensation of losses in the public and private sector.

Estimates about damage to public and private properties had been calculated on the basis of cost of the infrastructure at time of its construction. The “need” portion of the DNA had been prepared on the basis of cost of cement, steel, labour and other constructions in the market, explained the official sources. According to initial estimates, Punjab suffered Rs 253 billion loss; Sindh, Rs 350 billion; Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Rs 103 billion; Balochistan, Rs 55 billion and FATA Rs 5 billion. Most of the damage occurred in the agriculture and livestock sector, which was estimated at Rs 428 billion.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan