UNITED NATIONS, Oct 13: The United Nations is convening an emergency donors conference in Geneva next Thursday to solicit more funds for the devastating earthquake in Pakistan citing lack of adequate response to its “flash appeal” from the international community.
“So far only $5 million have been contributed to the “flash appeal” and another $6 million committed, which is not enough” said the Chief of Staff to the Undersecretary-General of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Hamsjoerg Strohmeyer.
He said that about $150 million had been committed on bi-lateral basis and it was not clear that how much of that money will be part of UN’s “flash appeal” and how much will be given to the Pakistan government.
Mr Strohmeyer said that “we need to broaden the base of donors” and draw in more corporations and other such organizations to donate more to solicit more money for the earthquake which has been termed as a “losing battle.”
He noted that in case of Tsunami disaster many international organizations and multinational corporations were able to raise large amounts of money.
During the Tsunami crisis Jan Egeland Undersecretary-General of Humanitarian Affairs had chided the rich countries for not responding fast enough with aid which resulted in an outcry and helped in spurring international community to step forward with help.
Responding to question about lack of access to the remote areas and villages impacted by the earthquake Mr Strohmeyer said that “so far approximately 50 helicopters are operating in the affected arrears.”
He expressed hope that the international community will contribute more helicopters which could help in the search and rescue operations in the remote areas.
