NZ doubles aid to flood-hit Pakistan
New Zealand has doubled its aid to Pakistan following that country's worst-ever floods, Foreign Minister Murray McCully announced today.
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New Zealand has doubled its aid to Pakistan following that country's worst-ever floods, Foreign Minister Murray McCully announced today.
The New Zealand government had initially pledged $2 million in aid, but had decided to increase that to support what the United Nations has called a spiralling humanitarian catastrophe.
"With the full extent of the disaster becoming increasingly apparent, and with the situation continuing to worsen, the Government has decided to make a further $2 million contribution to relief efforts," Mr McCully said.
The announcement follows an UN warning that up to 3.5 million children could be in danger of contracting deadly diseases carried through contaminated water and insects in a crisis that has disrupted the lives of at least a tenth of Pakistan's 170 million people.
"It is now estimated that over 20 million people have been affected by the floods. Close to 1500 people have died, and more than a million homes have been destroyed," Mr McCully said.
Yesterday the UN announced that nearly half the $NZ645m needed for initial relief had been secured after days of lobbying donors and warnings that Pakistan faces a spiralling humanitarian catastrophe.
So far, food rations and access to clean water have only been provided to around 700,000 flood survivors, the UN said.
Mr McCully said the additional funds will go to the United Nations Pakistan Emergency Response Fund.
New Zealanders looking to donate should visit the New Zealand Aid Programme website, where a list of the current Pakistan emergency appeals is located, Mr McCully said.
NZPA
Thu, 19 Aug 2010
Thu, 19 Aug 2010
© All content copyright NBR. Do not reproduce in any form without permission, even if you have a paid subscription.
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NZ doubles aid to flood-hit Pakistan
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