U.N.: $450M needed to help uprooted Pakistanis
CNN
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/22/pakistan.refugees.appeal/art.refugees.camp.afp.gi.jpg caption="Displaced civilians line up for a meal at Chota Lahore camp in Swabi district."]
Nearly a half-billion dollars in "urgent contributions" are needed, the United Nations said Friday to aid displaced Pakistanis whose numbers are nearing 2 million.
More than $450 million is needed to meet the overall appeal for $543 million, the U.N. refugee agency said.
It added that almost $86 million has been provided or committed, so far.
Pakistan recently secured pledges from international donors for billions of dollars worth of aid to bolster the government of President Asif Ali Zardari.
Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced that Washington would rush an additional $110 million in humanitarian assistance to help the Pakistanis who have been forced to flee their home as the Pakistani military confronts Taliban militants in northwestern Pakistan.
Two American military cargo jets arrived at an airbase close to the Pakistani capital Wednesday, carrying air-conditioned tents and pre-packaged meals.
Meanwhile, Britain pledged an additional £10 million Friday, for a total of £22 million ($35 million), to address the humanitarian situation in Pakistan.
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If what Salman says is true, then we need a world wide effort to make sure all those displaced find food, shelter and safety. Where is China, Japan, Russia, Argentina, Canada, etc. Have they also donated? I assume so. Someone said China can do more but I may be wrong. Most of this is a military problem to halt the Taliban from taking over Pakistan. Lord knows we can assist in that. We need to take care of these "fires", these international "crisis" as quickly as possible. Because we have so many "world wide" crisis of children dying of hunger, or lack of medical attention. And I for one, would appreciate if all these Oil companies making so much in profits would actually donate the "proper" amount to help the people that they are fostering to occur. How many millions did the oil companies make in profit last quarter? And how many millions did they allocate to assist those affected by their trade? I doubt it was in line with what they morally or ethically should do. It is just my feeling and opinion, but it seems our government and those close to us are having to tax the military to ensure that large oil companies keep making millions without the oil companies footing their fair share of the burden. I may be wrong, but I feel I am right.
It seems to me that it is critical for us all to provide prompt support to these refugees from the Swat Valley fighting. If the UN and the Pakistan government are perceived by the refugees as uncaring, it will feed the ambition of the Taliban. If on the other hand we take care of them and get them home quickly, the Taliban will be discredited and weakened.
Let it be pakistan or srilanka, our concern should be to save the innocent civilians at any cost. they cannot have uncertainty. it is important for the US to see to it, the aid reaches one and all who are in need even in the remote parts of Pakistan. If US is successful in doing this then at the root level inside Pakistan, the need to acknowledge the western interests can be seen at all levels.
Dick Cheney appears to be very controlling. It appears that he thinks that things must be done his way and only his way. He is very disrespectful to Colin Powell I bet he was that way with president George Bush. This is what having too much money and clot can do in building one's character. Dich Cheney needs to concentrate more on his health and how he can now contribute to making america better as oppose to defending what appears he did wrong.
Wait a minute. We have 12 million people unemployed and alot need help. How about some money for them. Lets clean up our own yard before we clean someone else's.
Yeah! Lets hand out more cash by the semi load to this nuclear country so it can divert it to the rich while more of us americans go jobless !
Many years ago i,as a German woman visited Pakistan Islambad Peshawar,Suat and other areas.There was no Taliban in this time,Of course,there are rules for me.Since this time it breaks my hard,if i heard about this war
My prays go to the victims,and the people,who lost their homes.Not all people in this area are Taliban.
God bless Pakistan
We are going through one of the worst human crisis since the '47 partition so yes, we need immediate aid from the West. Thanks!