|
| December 19, 2005 | Monday | Ziqa’ad 16, 1426 |
Second Turkish ship carrying humanitarian aid for quake victims arrived ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 (APP): Within the framework of Turkey's humanitarian aid to Pakistan, a second ship carrying 18,000 tons of flour, 160,000 blankets and 250 tons of sugar arrived at the Karachi Port. The aid will be distributed to the earthquake affected people by Pakistani authorities in coordination with the Turkish Red Crescent.(Posted @ 21:35 PST)
Quake an opportunity for building links between Kashmiris: Musharraf RAWALPINDI, Dec 19 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf on Monday said that the earthquake provided an opportunity for building further links between the Kashmiris on both sides, which should not be missed. Pakistan had conveyed proposals to India in this regard, which he hoped would be reciprocated. He was speaking to Ted Turner, Chairman of the UN Foundation, who had called on him.Musharraf appreciated the UN’s active role in controlling polio and thanked Turner for the Foundation's assistance in the earthquake hit areas and in Pakistan's Polio Eradication Programme.(Posted @ 20:05 PST)
Conditions in quake-stricken areas no longer very bad: US Ambassador ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 (PPI): US Ambassador to Pakistan Ryan Crocker has said conditions in areas affected by last October's earthquake were no longer so bad as a result of international relief and aid efforts. In an interview to Kuwaiti News Agency KUNA in Islamabad released Sunday Crocker said the US Administration in cooperation with several US institutes was following a long term plan to reconstruct Pakistan and support the victims in their efforts to restore normal life. Crocker said that it was still undetermined how long American troops would remain in Pakistan, as this would depend on the relief efforts and plans and also depend on a request by local authorities. The US has donated 522 million dollars in addition to 110 million US dollars for relief missions carried out by American troops, Crocker said, adding that the US planned to further donate sums needed for aid.(Posted @ 10:20 PST)
Thirty thousand metric tones food distributed ISLAMABAD, Dec. 19( PPI) The World Food programme has distributed 30,000 metric tones of food items among one million people in earthquake affected areas of NWFP and Azad Kashmir. A WFP spokesman said people of areas which receive snow have been given food items catering to their needs for three months. The affectees in other areas have been provided foodfor 45 days. He said the government has agreed to provide 46,000 metric tones of wheat for future needs of the affectees. He said a programme has also been launched in collaboration with UNICEF for providing food to 150,000 children. They are being provided dates and biscuits daily.(Posted @ 10:10 PST)
Quake reconstructon cost ISLAMABAD, Dec 19 (APP Minister of State for Finance, Omar Ayub Khan in a statement on Sunday said about Rs 60 to 70 billion would be required for the construction of small houses in the hilly areas of the quake devastated NWFP and Azad Kashmir while billions more will be required for the revival of the infrastructure. Rs 18.60 billion will be required just for the next six months to carrying out initial works in Kashmir and NWFP, the minister said adding that $ 3.42 crores will be spent on health, $1.4 crores on education and $2.70 crores on revival of infrastructure during this period. Besides, $4.298 crores would be required for relief efforts, $ 1.42 crores for agriculture, $ 6.75 crores for provision of residential facilities and $5.60 crores for supply of food. The minister said Government was trying to mobilise these resources and it has the support of international community.(Posted @ 10:00 PST)
US team assists reconstruction planning, concludes initial visit to Pakistan ISLAMABAD, Dec 18 (APP): A USAID funded delegation of American reconstruction experts, including earthquake engineers and urban planners, completed its initial visit to Pakistan and will return here over the next few months to facilitate continued US-Pakistan collaboration on reconstruction planning. They have identified a host of options to support Pakistan's initiative to "build back better". The team identified three ways in which their expertise could assist Pakistani reconstruction efforts: 1)offering methods for facilitating the owner-driven reconstruction approach advocated by Pakistan government; 2) collating international standards and best-practices for rebuilding; and 3) building on links between the Pakistani government and scientific community and earthquake devastated communities around the world that have experienced similar reconstruction challenges. The team looks forward to building on this initial phase through continued engagement with Pakistani policy-makers and scientists to address these and other issues.(Posted @ 9:45 PST)
|
|
|
|
