Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Sunday said that the world community during the two special sessions of the UN General Assembly pledged $254 million aid money and assured of providing $810 million for the flood affectees. Addressing a press conference after returning from the UN General Assembly session, the FM said that 72 UN member countries expressed solidarity with Pakistan and assured all-out support to combat the calamity.
The Minister said that had gone to the US to attend the General Assembly sessions to make the world aware of the devastation as the global community did not know the magnitude of the disaster.
He said that the world pledged $254 million aid for Pakistan in the two UN sessions out of the $450 million appeal had already launched by the UN. He said that the European Union would hold special meetings on September 10 and 11 on flood situation of Pakistan.
He said that the UN had passed the resolution presented by the President of UN General Assembly in support of Pakistan for financial assistance. Qureshi said he was thankful to UN Chief Ban Ki-moon for convening special General Assembly sessions to apprise the world of the massive destruction the floods have inflicted across Pakistan.
The Foreign Minister added that to review the flood devastations the next meeting of the United Nations is also scheduled on September 19. Besides, the Minister said, the meeting of the Friends of Democratic Pakistan will be held in Brussels on October 14 and 15 and its agenda is being reviewed and Pakistan 's situation would be discussed in particular.
He said years would be taken in reconstruction and rehabilitation of the flood affected areas and there is crucial need of long lasting assistance by the international community. He said that Pakistan has further boosted its diplomatic image by accepting assistance from India. The world has assured all-out support for Pakistan, terming the recent flood as a huge tragedy, he said.
The Minister said that during his meeting with EU representative, they agreed to give more access to Pakistan in trade in EU countries to help Pakistan to promote its exports. Besides attending the UN special sessions on Pakistan, he said, he also held meetings with US Secretary of State, President of UN General Assembly, and Foreign Ministers of Belgium, Holland, Japan and UAE and informed them about the devastating floods in Pakistan.
The Foreign Minister said that he also met with the officials of many NGOs and Pakistani community as well as international media and briefed them about the catastrophe and expected that there would be pouring more money for the assistance of the floods affectees. He informed the media that to estimate real losses of the flood devastations, the government has submitted request to the World Bank to call a donors' conference.
He said that Pakistan has achieved significant success in drawing the attention of international community towards the Pakistan's situation. The Minister said that according to the initial reports prepared by NDMA, as many as 10 million houses have been damaged and crops on million acres of land have been destroyed in the aftermath of rains and floods, and added that there is need of long-term assistance from the international community.
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