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A friend in need is a friend indeed

posted by Junaid Qaiser | August 17, 2010 | In Original Articles

Congratulating people of Pakistan on the occasion of its 63rd independence day, US President Barack Obama has expressed his country’s long term commitment in strengthening ties with the country.

President Barack Obama has pledged sustained U.S. support for Pakistan’s recovery from raging floods “in line with deepening partnership between the two nations” as he greeted the South Asian country on its Independence Day that has come at a time of unprecedented natural disaster.

“This Independence Day anniversary also comes at a time of great challenge for the people of Pakistan as they bravely respond to widespread and unprecedented flooding,” he noted in a White House statement.

“In line with the deepening partnership between our two nations, I have directed my administration to continue to work closely with the Government of Pakistan and provide assistance in their response to this crisis,” the U.S. president added as Pakistan and its international partners stepped up a gigantic rescue and relief operation over 150,000 sq km of land.

The monsoon flooding has already claimed around 1600 lives and affected more than 14 million people across the country and destroyed houses, livestock and infrastructure at several places.

Obama said his administration has rushed financial assistance, life saving and life sustaining relief supplies, helicopters, rescue boats, and disaster management experts to assist the Pakistani authorities.

“The people of America stand with the people of Pakistan through this difficult time and will continue to urge the international community to increase their support and assistance. We will remain committed to helping Pakistan and will work side by side with you and the international community toward a recovery that brings back the dynamic vitality of your nation,” he vowed.

Following is the text of the White House statement: “On behalf of the people of the United States of America, I send my congratulations and sincere best wishes to all who will celebrate the 63rd anniversary of Pakistan’s independence.

Here at home, I am proud of the many contributions Pakistani Americans have made to our nation and will continue to make in the years to come. Pakistan’s Independence Day is a useful time to reflect on the friendships Pakistan has in the world and the expressions of true friendship that come in a time of need.

“This Independence Day anniversary also comes at a time of great challenge for the people of Pakistan as they bravely respond to widespread and unprecedented flooding. In line with the deepening partnership between our two nations, I have directed my administration to continue to work closely with the Government of Pakistan and provide assistance in their response to this crisis. We have rushed financial assistance, life saving and life sustaining relief supplies, helicopters, rescue boats, and disaster management experts to assist the Pakistani authorities.”

The people of America stand with the people of Pakistan We will remain committed to helping Pakistan and will work side by side with you and the international community toward a recovery that brings back the dynamic vitality of your nation.”

'The people of America stand with the people of Pakistan through this difficult time.'

through this difficult time and will continue to urge the international community to increase their support and assistance.

The United States has donated the most to the relief effort, at least $70 million, and has sent military helicopters to rescue stranded people and drop off food and water. “So far, if anyone has practically given us maximum help, it is America,” Gilani said Saturday when a Pakistani reporter suggested the U.S. has done little since the crisis started.
 The Pentagon said Friday that ships carrying more relief supplies and helicopters had left the East Coast and would arrive off Pakistan in late September. Two additional U.S. Navy MH-53E Sea Dragon helicopters arrived in Pakistan on Saturday to support flood relief efforts, the U.S. State Department said. That brings to seven the total number of aircraft in Pakistan from the USS Peleliu, which is positioned in international waters in the Arabian Sea. Operating in partnership with the Pakistan military, the U.S. aircraft have since Aug. 5 rescued more than 3,500 people and transported more than 412,000 pounds (186,000 kilograms) of emergency supplies, the State Department said American officials say they are trying to rekindle the same goodwill generated five years ago when the U.S. military played a major role in responding to an earthquake in Kashmir in 2005 that killed 75,000 people.
According to AFP, the United States has upped its aid to flood-ravaged Pakistan and announced a visit by a political heavyweight to show its commitment to a fractious ally where anti-US feeling runs high. US Senator John Kerry will visit Pakistan next week to raise public awareness and drum up donations
 
 

“This will be a critical visit to help raise the profile among publics both in the US and internationally,” said Dan Feldman, the US deputy special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Kerry, a former presidential candidate who chairs the Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee, will be the first senior US policymaker to visit since the disaster, which has affected up to 20 million people. The United States, which has put Pakistan on the front line of its war on Al-Qaeda, has begun dispatching Marine helicopters from an amphibious assault ship to help in the aid operation. With its latest aid pledge, the total US financial contribution to the flood relief effort comes to 76 million dollars. 

Obama administration not only vows sustained US support for Pakistan flood recovery but it will also to lobby for aid.

Official says 15-20 million people face direct or indirect harm from the floods. The United Nations believes 1,600 people have died, while Islamabad has confirmed 1,343 deaths. The UN has appealed for 460 million dollars in foreign aid and says billions will be needed in the long term, with survivors facing grim conditions in makeshift tent cities and diseases rife in the unbearable heat. The UN humanitarian coordinator in Pakistan, Martin Mogwanja, said pledges of 195 million dollars had already been made.
 
 

 

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Junaid Qaiser

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  1. Sher Zaman

    I hope after watching the extent of damage, the international community works for the collection of $ 460 million that the UN has estimated. It is also required that the donors from within Pakistan must come forward and donate generously to save a large part of the population.

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  2. Muhammad Azeem

    People of Pakistan will never forget US at this hour of need.Hope US will do more for the flood victims.

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  3. Unaiza Fatima

    If you have any doubts about what american think and feel about you, check this link from Yahoo!news and read the comments one by one made by americans. Don’t be blinded by your world of fantasies about people across the Atlantic.

    http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/as_pakistan_floods;_ylt=As_NyN_guj3tZtDTw04ehLSs0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTNqMGUzdDB0BGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTAwODE3L2FzX3Bha2lzdGFuX2Zsb29kcwRjY29kZQNtb3N0cG9wdWxhcgRjcG9zAzMEcG9zAzExBHB0A2hvbWVfY29rZQRzZWMDeW5fdG9wX3N0b3J5BHNsawN1bnNheXNtaWxsaW8-

    And also, Saudi Arabia has probably contributed more than the americans, but they are not advertising it all around:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Pakistan_floods

    http://ejang.jang.com.pk/8-17-2010/pic.asp?picname=96.gif

    Where is you due appreciation for Saudis, Mr. deluded writer?

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  4. Newpor

    Great tips, thanks a bunch!

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