Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Monday said that the nation is going through a hard time due to the deadly floods, and again appealed to the international community and donor organisations to act quickly to help the hundreds of thousands of marooned people, saying that the devastation "has spiralled beyond government capacity".
He called the government organisations, NGOs and PPP activists to fan out and zealously participate in the rescue and rehabilitation operations. He said this while talking to reporters during his visit to Kot Adu, Taunsa Barrage and Muzaffargarh.
He said that that government was striving to accelerate the rescue operation and not to spare any effort in their rehabilitation. The devastation and loss caused by the flood is irrecoverable, and the country has been pushed back by many years, he said. The PM said the magnitude of the devastation, caused by the worst-ever flash floods, was more than the country's resources.
However, the government will not leave the flood-affected people alone in this hour of need, he vowed. He said the unprecedented devastation had exceeded the destruction wreaked by the October 2005 earthquake. "The devastation and losses inflicted by the floods are multiplying and have pushed the country back by many years," Gilani pointed out.
The PM said all-out resources would be utilised for the rehabilitation of the affectees. He appealed to the world to extend all possible assistance to Pakistan. "There is no dearth of national enthusiasm," he said, adding, "This government is your government; government of the people; and its resources are national resources." He said: "Whatever we can do within our resources we are doing and will continue to do. However, the losses are far too stupendous."
Gilani said that he had spoken to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and apprised her that the country had suffered tremendous losses. "It cannot be estimated for the time being as the flow of floodwater continues and more water is pouring in while the number of affectees could end up in millions," he pointed out.
The PM said that one of the reasons for the great losses occurred so far and the loss still expected is that the amount of water flow from upstream was increasing manifold while the second spell of monsoon had also started. The Prime Minister said one of the reasons for losses occurred so far and the loss still expected is that the amount of water flow from behind is increasing in addition to increase in silt and rains. Besides, a second series of monsoon has also started.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank will be asked to make an estimate of losses once the flood subsides, the Prime Minister said, adding that the estimation will be shared with the world and the loss will be jointly surmounted. He said for expeditious rescue work directives have been issued to all relevant organisations including the army, navy, air force and Disaster Management Authority that no effort should be spared. Gilani said the immediate need is provision of food, water, medicines and camps for which the federal government will do everything possible. Arrangement will be made for food and tents will be dispatched, he added.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank will be asked to carry out estimation of losses once the floodwater recedes completely, the PM said. He added that the estimation would be shared with the world and the loss would be jointly sustained. Earlier, the Prime Minister took an aerial view of the ravages, caused by the flash floods when he flew in a helicopter.
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