UNITED NATIONS: The United Nation assured to continue aid efforts in flood-hit areas despite a US official warned that the Tehrik-e-Taliban in Pakistan is planning to attack foreign aid workers participating in flood relief.
"We will not be deterred from doing what we believe we need to do, which is to help the people of Pakistan," John Holmes, the UN humanitarian chief, told a news conference at the world body's headquarters.
“Of course, security issues are there, but we’ll continue to help a very large number affected by the unprecedented floods” Holmes, who is leaving his post, told a news briefing at UN Headquarters in New York.
Holmes said that the United Nations would take "appropriate precautions."
Replying to a question, Holmes said he had not talked to the Pakistan government about beefing up security for the UN aid workers, but the humanitarian team in the country had taken up the matter.
"We take these threats seriously as we did before, take appropriate precautions, but will not be deterred from doing what we need to do, which is to help the people in Pakistan. We hope that others will recognize that that's all we are doing and we are not following any other agenda," he added.
Holmes said that Pakistan’s needs were enormous and the United Nations was scaling up its efforts to help the over 17 million uprooted people. Out of the six million people in dire need, the UN had reached about two million.
There were 80,000 marooned people who can only be reached by air, as he called for more international help. Efforts to expand the relief operations were underway, citing UN’s appeal for 40 more helicopters. The UN was waiting for a response, although Japan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have already offered to provide them.
The UN appeal for $460 million is more than 70 per cent funded at $325 million, he said, describing the response as “reasonable”. So far the total pledges so far amount to $600 million, moving towards $1billion mark.
The appeal will be substantially revised upwards in mid-September as billions of dollars not only for relief but also for reconstruction of the destroyed infrastructure, homes and other facilities.
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"We will not be deterred from doing what we believe we need to do, which is to help the people of Pakistan," John Holmes, the UN humanitarian chief, told a news conference at the world body's headquarters.
“Of course, security issues are there, but we’ll continue to help a very large number affected by the unprecedented floods” Holmes, who is leaving his post, told a news briefing at UN Headquarters in New York.
Holmes said that the United Nations would take "appropriate precautions."
Replying to a question, Holmes said he had not talked to the Pakistan government about beefing up security for the UN aid workers, but the humanitarian team in the country had taken up the matter.
"We take these threats seriously as we did before, take appropriate precautions, but will not be deterred from doing what we need to do, which is to help the people in Pakistan. We hope that others will recognize that that's all we are doing and we are not following any other agenda," he added.
Holmes said that Pakistan’s needs were enormous and the United Nations was scaling up its efforts to help the over 17 million uprooted people. Out of the six million people in dire need, the UN had reached about two million.
There were 80,000 marooned people who can only be reached by air, as he called for more international help. Efforts to expand the relief operations were underway, citing UN’s appeal for 40 more helicopters. The UN was waiting for a response, although Japan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have already offered to provide them.
The UN appeal for $460 million is more than 70 per cent funded at $325 million, he said, describing the response as “reasonable”. So far the total pledges so far amount to $600 million, moving towards $1billion mark.
The appeal will be substantially revised upwards in mid-September as billions of dollars not only for relief but also for reconstruction of the destroyed infrastructure, homes and other facilities.
www.raychannel.com