HOME    WORLD    U.S.    POLITICS    CRIME    ENTERTAINMENT    HEALTH    TECH    TRAVEL    LIVING
June 17, 2009
Text Aid to Pakistan
Posted: 11:59 PM ET
Share this on:
Share | Permalink | 3 Comments

Program Note: Tune in tonight for special coverage of World Refugee Day on Thursday at 10 p.m. ET. And learn more about how you can help by visiting Impact Your World.

Displaced Pakistanis battle severe winds and dust at Jalozai refugee camp near Peshawar.
Displaced Pakistanis battle severe winds and dust at Jalozai refugee camp near Peshawar.

AC360°

The refugee crisis in Pakistan is one of the grimmest in the world and the situation is only worsening. As of January 2009, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported nearly 1.8 million people had fled their homes to escape the violence, primarily between the Pakistani army and the Taliban in and around Pakistan’s Swat Valley. Today, estimates of refugees range near 2.5 million.

Last month, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced a new way for people to donate to the U.N.’s Pakistani refugee efforts by texting on a cell phone. This is in addition to the $100-million humanitarian aid package the U.S. government pledged last month.

By texting “SWAT” to 20222, Americans can make a donation to the U.N. to help alleviate Pakistan’s refugee crisis. “A $5 contribution will help the UNHCR provide tents, clothing, food, and medicine to hundreds of thousands of affected people,” Clinton said.

The donation shows up on the user’s cell phone bill and is then credited to a non-profit organization called USA for UNHCR that takes tax-deductible donations for the United Nations Refugee Agency.

Clinton has high hopes for the initiative. “I’m hoping that we’ll have a big response to the text messaging. Just think if a million people in the United States gave at least $5, that’s $5 million. And that would be a significant contribution from ordinary citizens, just people who care about what’s happening.” USA for UNHCR claims that $5 can register 15 displaced Pakistanis for assistance and protection.

As violence continued in northwest Pakistan today, the European Union pledged at a summit to give Pakistan 20 million Euros ($27.8 million) in humanitarian aid. Both the EU and the U.S. see security in Pakistan as a foreign policy priority.

3 Comments
More about: 360° Radar •  Hillary Clinton •  Impact Your World •  Pakistan
3 Comments
Tina   June 17th, 2009 5:39 pm ET

During Katrina, I think it was Pakistan that donated tons of money to aid relief.

Sarah A Malik   June 17th, 2009 6:32 pm ET

That's interesting. But who's going to follow up on this and see how much was actually donated? Who's checking the results?

Abeeha   June 18th, 2009 12:06 pm ET

I am from Pakistan, but from a way wealthier part. But, how much is actually donated, how much is used?

Comments have been closed for this article

subscribe RSS Icon
About this blog

A behind the scenes look at “Anderson Cooper 360°” and the stories it covers, written by Anderson Cooper, the AC360° staff and a network of contributors. Insight you can’t find anywhere else.

We search the news each day to show you what’s on our radar and what we’re planning for the show each night.

For more details, read our tips on how to win 360° approval for comments.

Send your instant feedback to Anderson Cooper 360°.

Featured Contributors
Candy Crowley
Candy Crowley is CNN's senior political correspondent and an AC360° contributor
David Gergen
David Gergen is CNN's senior political analyst and former presidential advisor
Roland S. Martin
Roland S. Martin is a nationally award-winning journalist and AC360° contributor
CNN Comment Policy: CNN encourages you to add a comment to this discussion. You may not post any unlawful, threatening, defamatory, obscene, pornographic or other material that would violate the law. All comments should be relevant to the topic and remain respectful of other authors and commenters. You are solely responsible for your own comments, the consequences of posting those comments, and the consequences of any reliance by you on the comments of others. By submitting your comment, you hereby give CNN the right, but not the obligation, to post, air, edit, exhibit, telecast, cablecast, webcast, re-use, publish, reproduce, use, license, print, distribute or otherwise use your comment(s) and accompanying personal identifying and other information you provide via all forms of media now known or hereafter devised, worldwide, in perpetuity. CNN Privacy Statement.
Home  |  World  |  U.S.  |  Politics  |  Justice  |  Entertainment  |  Health  |  Tech  |  Travel  |  Opinion  |  Living  |  Business  |  Sports  |  Time.com
Podcasts  |  Blogs  |  CNN Mobile  |  Preferences  |  Email Alerts  |  CNN Radio  |  CNN Shop  |  Site Map
© 2009 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by WordPress.com VIP