NEW YORK, Nov 30: Noting the gravity of the earthquake aftermath in Pakistan, US Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton has called for “a comparable outpouring of our collective global compassion on behalf of the victims of the earthquake in Pakistan”.
Speaking at a fund-raiser for International Rescue Committee (IRC) at the Asia Society in support of the earthquake victims, she lamented that “we haven’t had a similar outpouring of aid “ in case of South Asian quake, saying the story of hundreds and thousands of faceless and nameless victims is not being told.
According to Asif Alam of the Association of Pakistani Professionals (AOPP), some $360,000 was raised for IRC at the fund-raiser and more were expected.
Calling for urgent help, Ms Clinton underscored “the situation in Pakistan is urgent and it is bleak” adding “it’s a desperate time, we need to raise immediate funds for IRC.
In a letter to US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Senator Clinton urged them to review the additional US government military and civilian assets, particularly medical and sanitation related assets that can be re-deployed to help the Pakistani earthquake victims.
A large number of prominent Pakistanis and Indians attended the fundraiser including Pakistan’s ambassador to the United Nations Munir Akram, Consul General Haroon Shaukat.
