Pakistan finally accepts Indian aid for flood victims

Residents flee the flooded areas of Basera, near Muzaffargarh, in Pakistan’s Punjab province, on Friday. (EPA)

By AGENCIES

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad has accepted $5 million in aid from India for flood victims, a rare expression of good will between the feuding neighbors at a time when Pakistan is reeling from one of its worst-ever natural disasters.

The floods have affected about one-fifth of Pakistan's territory, straining its civilian government as it also struggles against Al-Qaeda and Taleban violence. Millions of people have been made homeless and the economic cost is expected to run into the billions.

The head of the World Health Organization in Pakistan said Friday that there had been “sporadic cases” of cholera among 20 million people affected by the disaster, many of them living in crowded and unsanitary conditions.

But Guido Sabatinelli told reporters that “I am optimistic that there is no immediate threat of a cholera epidemic.” The United Nations has appealed for $460 million in emergency assistance.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi told Indian NDTV television station that the government had accepted the money from India. Such is the difficult relationship the two nations have that it took several days for Islamabad to reach the decision.

“It is highly appreciated in Pakistan and we have recognized it,” he said in New York.

India's Foreign Ministry Friday welcomed the decision to accept the aid, Press Trust of India reported, adding the government was willing to provide more assistance.

India also provided aid to Pakistan after the 2006 Kashmir earthquake that killed more than 70,000 people.

Sabatinelli urged the world to extend generous financial assistance to Pakistan to ensure health facilities for survivors. “We are receiving some good pledges but we cannot buy drugs with pledges, and we need to convert them into checks,” he told reporters.

The UN disaster prevention agency said that communities should have been kept away from flood-exposed river banks in Pakistan. "If people had not settled on the river banks, definitely the disaster would have been less, because that is the main cause of the disaster," said Salvano Briceno, director of the UN's International Strategy for Disaster Reduction.

Comments

F. R. KHAN

Report abuse
It is a pity that the Pakistan People Party (PPP) government holding begging bowl in hand has accepted the help of Pakistan's arch enemy. Had the Pakistan government refused to accept this negligible help, it would have been highly commendable and dignified too. The world community knows the hostility that exists between the two countries. India sitting in the lap of USA, always conspires against Muslims in general and Pakistan in particular. Pakistan’s agricultural lands are drying up and fertility is turning barren because India has controlled river water flow by constructing dams in contravention of the treaty. By accepting the Indian aid the PPP government has lowered - rather badly damaged the dignity of the countrty. This is against the wishes of the populace.

HASHMI

Report abuse
India has always had the soft corner for people in Pakistan.. Not just 'Indian muslims' almost all Indians think in a positive of the neighbours. May ALLAH make the feuding nations into allies! Aameen!! As the west is afraid to see the two powers rise from the west with the names of India and Pakistan .

ABDUL LATHEEF

Report abuse
I appreciate india's generous mind. I proud an Indian because GOVT. of India proved they are keeping Ghandhiji's principles through this activity

RENE HINOJOSA

Report abuse
With all due respect, F.R. Khan, but I believe that Pakistan NEEDS to accept the donation with humility. Don't worry about pride; India and the rest of the world knows it's not about that. It's about saving the lives of the innocent people and getting them back on their feet. Don't let pride get in your way; it also took humility on India's part to make the generous offer that it did.

CAUTIOUS

Report abuse
Khan - suggest you put you hatred of the PPP, India, USA or anyone else on the back burner - get off your duff and help the victims of this disaster.

I am sure that the people who are dying from starvation, disease, and lack of shelter don't care about your political rants but want/need some immediate help - regardless of the religious or political views of the donor.
Post your comment

required

required (email will never be displayed)

Please enter the following characters in the box provided (case sensitive). This helps us prevent automated programs from creating accounts and sending spam.

All comments are subject to approval

Terms and conditions