UNITED NATIONS, Aug 21: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi left for Islamabad Friday night after a four-day hectic visit to New York during which led Pakistan’s delegation to the special session of the UN General Assembly, which expressed solidarity with flood-hit Pakistani people. Although the session was not billed as a donor conference, $254.5 million were pledged at Thursday/Friday meetings for Pakistan’s flood victims, bringing the aid total since the natural disaster struck Pakistan to $815.59. Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi called those pledges “very encouraging,” saying that the international community was only now beginning to comprehend the true scope of the flood ravages.
In a statement, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, “The generosity of countries and individuals will make a real difference in the daily lives of millions of people. “We must keep it up. This is not just Pakistan’s hour of need - Pakistan is facing weeks, months and years of need. Now is our chance to turn the tide towards hope and a better day for all of the people of Pakistan”.
Secretary-General Ban said the UN, after an initial slow reaction to its appeal for $460 million, had received 70 percent of that amount before the latest figures were announced. The flooding is “one of the greatest tests of global solidarity in our times,” Ban said. “This is a global disaster, a global challenge. This disaster is far from over. Pakistan is facing a slow-motion tsunami.”
Besides attending the assembly session, the foreign minister met a number of high-level representatives—over 30 -- in an effort to sensitize them about the magnitude of the devastation left behind by the furious floods. Qureshi also addressed a a big gathering at Asia Society and gave interviews to several national and international media channels.
In addition, he briefed the Pakistani community on the flood situation and how they can help in restoring normality in the affected areas. The Pakistanis are now fully mobilized and are in the process of sending aid to their motherland. Before his departure on Friday, he also met a group of Pakistan professionals.
After his briefing, he listened to their suggestions, with most of those present stressing the need for transparency in handling of funds.
The foreign minister assured them that strict measures have been put in place to ensure that the money goes to those who were in need.
Secretary-General Ban said the UN, after an initial slow reaction to its appeal for $460 million, had received 70 percent of that amount before the latest figures were announced. The flooding is “one of the greatest tests of global solidarity in our times,” Ban said. “This is a global disaster, a global challenge. This disaster is far from over. Pakistan is facing a slow-motion tsunami.”
Besides attending the assembly session, the foreign minister met a number of high-level representatives—over 30 -- in an effort to sensitize them about the magnitude of the devastation left behind by the furious floods. Qureshi also addressed a a big gathering at Asia Society and gave interviews to several national and international media channels.
In addition, he briefed the Pakistani community on the flood situation and how they can help in restoring normality in the affected areas. The Pakistanis are now fully mobilized and are in the process of sending aid to their motherland. Before his departure on Friday, he also met a group of Pakistan professionals.
After his briefing, he listened to their suggestions, with most of those present stressing the need for transparency in handling of funds.
The foreign minister assured them that strict measures have been put in place to ensure that the money goes to those who were in need.
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