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| November 7, 2005 | Monday | Shawwal 4, 1426 |
US pledges help in rebuilding phase
WASHINGTON, Nov 6: The US would not only continue to participate in relief operations but will also work closely with Pakistan in the reconstruction of areas destroyed in the earthquake.
Giving this assurance at the State Department briefing, spokesman Sean McCormack said: “Certainly, the government of Pakistan and their people are facing incredible challenges right now as not only they are still trying to deal with the relief phase in the aftermath of the tragic earthquake but also looking ahead to the reconstruction phase.”
The US, he said, was aware of Pakistan’s needs and will do whatever it has to help the country overcome this tragedy. “That is something that we are going to be working closely, with the Pakistani government, as well as with the international community,” he said.
Mr McCormack said the US will also participate in the Nov 19 donors’ conference in Islamabad which aims at further involving the international community in helping the earthquake survivor.
Replying to a question on whether the world is doing enough for relief, Mr McCormack said: “This is a natural disaster of historic proportions. When we travelled with Dr Rice (Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice) to Pakistan in the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, we saw just a small portion of the human suffering that this earthquake has caused.”
He said the world has now come to the aid of the people in Pakistan with assistance of helicopters and helicopter crews, cash assistance not only for the immediate relief effort but as well as looking forward. But there were still immediate needs for tents and blankets as winter approaches in that region, he added.
“So, I think at this point what I would say is that the world and certainly the US government has responded with generous donations to the Pakistani people.” Mr McCormack said.
“We have high-level attention to this within the Department. Under Secretary Josette Shiner as well as Deputy Secretary Zoellick watch this issue very closely and we are going to continue doing what we can to help out the Pakistani people,” he added.
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