Asia-Pacific

India offers $5 M to initial Pakistan relief efforts

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-08-21 01:31

UNITED NATIONS - India said here on Friday that it has offered $5 million to help flood-hit Pakistan in its relief efforts, and is "ready to do more" to help its neighbor.

The statement came as Hardeep Singh Puri, permanent representative of India to the UN, was speaking at a plenary General Assembly meeting on flood-devastated Pakistan. The plenary meeting entered its second day here on Friday.

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Puri said that India and Pakistan share many of the same susceptibilities to natural disasters due to their geographical proximity, and that the current flood is "unprecedented."

Floods in Pakistan have devastated much of the country, causing 1,200 deaths and putting 15 to 20 million Pakistanis in need of urgent food, shelter, and emergency care, according to the latest estimates by the UN.

"The magnitude of the tragedy makes it incumbent of the international community to pool its energies and resources and to assist Pakistan in its efforts to rebuild and rehabilitate the devastated region," Puri said.

Puri said that senior officials from his country have offered to send the proposed relief supplies directly from India, in order to make the process more time efficient.

"As and when Pakistan is able to articulate its requirements for medium to long-term recovery, we will, within our abilities and in accordance with the needs of Pakistan, be privileged to be of assistance," he added.