Doha conference discusses Pakistan flood relief strategy
Originally published in Gulf Times on October 16, 2010
Officials from International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and 20 national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world have gathered in Doha for a two-day Pakistan Floods: Donors Conference.
The conference, which began yesterday evening, is being hosted by the Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS), which has been at the forefront of relief efforts since devastated floods hit the Central-South Asian country in August.
“We’ve gathered here to discuss and develop a plan of action to help the PRCS support the immediate and long-term recovery needs of more than 2mn people over the next two years,” an official said.
The IFRC issued an appeal to the global community to act swiftly to ensure flood victims did not go hungry this winter.
IFRC secretary general Bekele Geleta said: “Unlike an earthquake, this is a slow onset disaster and the full effects may not be known for months to come. The emergency is not over by any stretch, we’ll have to be ready to extend assistance well into the middle of 2011.”
Altogether 20.2mn people have been affected in a country of 180mn people.
PRCS chairperson Senator Nilofer Bakhtiar said: “We have revised our figure of attempting to assist 30,000 families to 300,000 families. This comes to a staggering 2.1mn people.”
She added: “After Pakistan Army, PRCS has been the largest assistance provider through 130,000 volunteers in 89 districts. This has been made possible thanks to the efforts of our sister societies as well as QRCS.”
IFRC and Qatar Red Crescent vice president Dr Mohamed al-Madheed said it would take many years for people to recover from the disaster and pointed out that food security was a major concern, particularly in the North.
“An immediate priority is to reach thousands of families with shelter material before winter sets in,” Dr al-Madheed said.
To date, only 64% of the IFRC’s emergency appeal of $72.5mn had been covered by donors, officials said, while urging all to come forward and help Pakistan now.
As Published
