€1.19m pledged to Pakistan relief effort
Ireland today pledged almost €1.2m to relief efforts in Pakistan as the Government called on the international community to wake up to the scale of the flood disaster.
Junior Minister Peter Power told the United Nations in New York that more needed to be done in response to the crisis that has affected 20 million people.
“Ireland’s response has been among the swiftest and most effective to this humanitarian crisis,” said Mr Power.
“Our priority is to ensure that those in greatest need on the ground in Pakistan receive assistance as soon as possible.
“We made funding available immediately following the onset of the crisis and increased our response as the scale of the disaster became apparent. I urge other countries to do all they can to contribute to the international response.”
Mr Power, Minister of State for Overseas Development, announced further humanitarian funding of €1.19m – in addition to €810,000 already given to agencies and in humanitarian supplies. It will be channelled through established Irish Aid partners, including the United Nations and Non-Governmental Organisations.
Addressing an emergency UN assembly on the floods crisis on behalf of the Government, he said the lives of millions, particularly the most vulnerable like children, remain in jeopardy.
“We need to ensure that sufficient resources are provided by the international community to get aid to those in the greatest need,” he continued.
Members discussed the global efforts which are under way to provide a comprehensive international response to the ongoing humanitarian needs in Pakistan.
Mr Power said it was particularly appropriate the meeting took place on World Humanitarian Day, which commemorates the sacrifices of humanitarian workers.
“World Humanitarian Day is a reminder to us to redouble our own efforts to deliver the most effective response to humanitarian emergencies,” he added.
“The floods in Pakistan are the greatest humanitarian challenge facing the world today but we should not forget that there are many other humanitarian crises which need our attention.”
