WASHINGTON, Nov 1: US relief flights to Pakistan are not linked to the UN funding and will not be cut back even if the United Nations does not receive additional donations to continue relief flights, the US military said on Tuesday.
The US Central Command (Centcom), which provides helicopters for American relief operations, also announced that it plans to increase the number of helicopters assigned to this mission.
There are currently 21 US military helicopters flying dozens of sorties daily to relief centres and villages in quake-devastated areas.
The United States has no plans “to diminish its support of its ally, Pakistan, in its hour of need”, and hopes that the international community would step forward with increased relief effort commitments, the Centcom said.
Other US government agencies also have urged international donors to boost current efforts to help Pakistan.
In the three weeks since the earthquake hit the country, US helicopters have flown close to 800 sorties into quake-ravaged areas, delivering huge quantities of supplies and evacuating 3,000 injured people.
The US has given $3.5 million in support of the airlift by the World Food Programme, which is being run by the United Nations’ Humanitarian Air Service.
The United States would overcome any challenges “presented by weather, terrain, and sheer magnitude of this tragedy” to support the Pakistani people “with technology, innovative planning and determination,” the Centcom said.
In a separate statement, the Pentagon said that US Air Force C-17 and C-130 heavy lift cargo aircraft have also been hauling much-needed clothing, cargo vehicles and aircraft parts in response to official requests from Pakistan. Air Force contractor flights also have been providing relief.
