Saudi Arabia to provide $100 million flood relief aid to Pakistan

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
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Saudi relief for Pakistan flood victims

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article95499.ece/REPRESENTATIONS/large_620x350/Saurelief.jpg

Saudi Air Force officers engaged in airlifting relief aid for Pakistan. (SPA)

By ARAB NEWS

Published: Aug 4, 2010 17:48 Updated: Aug 5, 2010 00:17

JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia will start airlifting relief supplies for Pakistan’s flood victims on Wednesday, an official statement said on Tuesday. The supplies were ordered by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to alleviate the suffering of flood victims.

“The Saudi Royal Air Force will establish an air bridge to Islamabad to transport the relief supplies,” the statement said. The Saudi Finance Ministry has already arranged large amounts of foodstuffs, medicine, blankets and tents for the flood victims.

“We are coordinating with UN organizations to distribute humanitarian and emergency relief supplies worth $100 million, which the Kingdom had earlier allocated to support victims of natural calamities in Pakistan,” the statement said.

Pakistan’s worst floods have hit more than three million people so far and the death toll has climbed over 1,400, a spokesman for the U.N. Children’s Fund said on Tuesday. Abdul Sami Malik said 1.3 million people were severely affected by the floods in the northwest.

Pakistani authorities are struggling to help victims of the flooding, many of whom have lost their homes and livelihood and say they had not received any official warnings that raging waters were heading their way.

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article95470.ece

My Comments: This is a very welcome and generous effort by the Saudi govt and will help countless affected in the floods.

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Re: Saudi Arabia to provide $100 million flood relief aid to Pakistan

finally some "brother" Islamic country came forward.

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Re: Saudi Arabia to provide $100 million flood relief aid to Pakistan

Shukar alhamdulillah. I'm very shocked at the fact that no military help has been offered from the neighbouring countries.

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Re: Saudi Arabia to provide $100 million flood relief aid to Pakistan

yes, this time its been relatively muted response from world community despite that biggest thug president claiming that his European visit was to help generate awareness and a reponse for the flood victims.

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Re: Saudi Arabia to provide $100 million flood relief aid to Pakistan

I think reputation of our President is one reason donation is not coming and global recession the other.

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Re: Saudi Arabia to provide $100 million flood relief aid to Pakistan

Couple of Reasons

-- Donor Fatigue (Too many catastrophes),
-- Because of low number of deaths, it is hard to scale the problem. Somehow earthquake with large number of deaths bring aid.
-- Image of Pakistan and Pakistani military and politicians
-- Pakistan themselves were very slow with response.
-- Dont see much Pakistani associations mobilising help, going to TV stations, broadcasting news etc.

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Re: Saudi Arabia to provide $100 million flood relief aid to Pakistan

Now Zardari is going to Russia ..

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Re: Saudi Arabia to provide $100 million flood relief aid to Pakistan

I dont think Pakistan would accept any military help from India. It will not take Indian helicopters. Kashmir quake they did not use the help provided ($500 million).

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Re: Saudi Arabia to provide $100 million flood relief aid to Pakistan

why didn't they take the money from the Indian government for the ajk quake?

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Re: Saudi Arabia to provide $100 million flood relief aid to Pakistan

Pakistan Administered Kashmir is more politically correct. Semantics aside it was because of much renowned Pakistani honor and politics.

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Re: Saudi Arabia to provide $100 million flood relief aid to Pakistan

Ahlan wa Sahlan ya Saudia. Salamtek.

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Re: Saudi Arabia to provide $100 million flood relief aid to Pakistan

:alhamd:

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Re: Saudi Arabia to provide $100 million flood relief aid to Pakistan

How much aid has America given?
I know American marines are helping the flood victims in their helicopters.

Where are thanks to America from Pakistanis?

Look at the following article. It gives a lot more detailed information about how America’s aid is being collected and distributed. In contrast to a blanket “$100 million” statement from Saudis.

http://www1.voanews.com/policy/editorials/Additional-Aid-To-Pakistan-100621824.html

The United States announced it will provide an additional 20 million $ in aid to Pakistan’s flood ravaged areas, bringing the total financial assistance to date from the U.S. to 76 million $.

The U.S. Agency for International Development is using the new funding to expand existing programs and activities through flood-affected regions of the country, including the south where there has been lighter humanitarian presence until now. U.S. military helicopters supporting relief and rescue operations have rescued approximately 3,000 people and transported over 322,000 pounds of relief supplies.

A Boeing 747 delivered 1,100 rolls of plastic sheeting and 14,000 blankets. The sheeting will benefit approximately 11,000 families in the heavily flooded area of Punjab Province. To date, the U.S. has supplied a month’s ration of food to about 181,000 people through our partnership with the World Food Program.

Working with “mGive,” a non-profit organization that facilitates mobile phone donations, people in the United States are contributing to flood relief by texting the word “SWAT” to “50555.” The text will result in a donation of $10 to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Pakistan Flood Relief Effort. Every $10 helps provide tents and emergency aid to displaced families. The government of Pakistan and the Pakistan cellular phone industry are inviting Pakistanis to contribute to the Prime Minister’s Fund for Flood Relief beginning August 5th by texting the amount of their donation to “1234.”

The Lahore-based American business Forum has collected donations from: Coca-Cola, Environment Consultancies & Options, Levi Strauss Pakistan, Kabani & Company, General Electric, Monsanto AgriTech, Al-Bario Engineering, and Nestol Technologies. Proctor and Gamble donated $455,000 in cash and in-kind contributions, including 4 million PUR water purification tablets. And the global U.S. health company Abbott Labs has committed $83,000 in cash and in-kind donations for flood victims.

The U.S. is coordinating closely with Pakistani authorities to support rescue and relief efforts. The U.S. will continue to work with the government of Pakistan to ensure aid reaches those people who need it most.

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Re: Saudi Arabia to provide $100 million flood relief aid to Pakistan

That's so true - people don't trust where their money is going! A big concern for my family when donating to flood victims! Also people knnow that the president has been flying all over the world and not batting an eyelid towards his own country! :@

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Re: Saudi Arabia to provide $100 million flood relief aid to Pakistan

http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Regional/Karachi/13-Aug-2010/Over-2000-US-marines-taking-part-in-rescue-work-in-flood-hit-areas

Over 2000 US marines taking part in rescue work in flood hit areas

More than two thousand US marines present in Arabian Sea, are taking part in rescue activities in flood hit areas of Pakistan while 24 American helicopters have shifted the 700 flood affectees to safer places. Addressing to US Marines and media teams at American Aircraft Carrier USS Pelelio, Consulate General said that on directives of American President the marines are rescuing Pakistanis trapped in flood hit areas. He said that relief goods and foods valuing more than 10 million dollars, have been provided to flood affectees while American government and Army would also take part in restoration and rehabilitation of flood affectees in Pakistan.
David Shaneel Commander USS Pelelio told that American marines are present in Indian ocean for one month, two helicopters are taking part in rescue activities in flood hit areas of Khyber Pakhtoonkhawa while five more helicopters are being sent. He said that they have come to Pakistan to help the flood affectees as Pakistani government appeal them to come to Pakistan. He said that with cooperation of Pakistani government they would take part in rescue, relief, and search activities. According to American Commander, seven helicopters out of 24 are for lifting purpose.

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Re: Saudi Arabia to provide $100 million flood relief aid to Pakistan

http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Regional/Karachi/13-Aug-2010/Over-2000-US-marines-taking-part-in-rescue-work-in-flood-hit-areas

Over 2000 US marines taking part in rescue work in flood hit areas

More than two thousand US marines present in Arabian Sea, are taking part in rescue activities in flood hit areas of Pakistan while 24 American helicopters have shifted the 700 flood affectees to safer places. Addressing to US Marines and media teams at American Aircraft Carrier USS Pelelio, Consulate General said that on directives of American President the marines are rescuing Pakistanis trapped in flood hit areas. He said that relief goods and foods valuing more than 10 million dollars, have been provided to flood affectees while American government and Army would also take part in restoration and rehabilitation of flood affectees in Pakistan.
David Shaneel Commander USS Pelelio told that American marines are present in Indian ocean for one month, two helicopters are taking part in rescue activities in flood hit areas of Khyber Pakhtoonkhawa while five more helicopters are being sent. He said that they have come to Pakistan to help the flood affectees as Pakistani government appeal them to come to Pakistan. He said that with cooperation of Pakistani government they would take part in rescue, relief, and search activities. According to American Commander, seven helicopters out of 24 are for lifting purpose.

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Re: Saudi Arabia to provide $100 million flood relief aid to Pakistan

America has given more aid to Pakistan than any country in the world.
Saudi aid at this moment is only on papers.

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Re: Saudi Arabia to provide $100 million flood relief aid to Pakistan

Good. Now how about starting another thread thanking American government for THEIR generous AND proven efforts to help countless affected in the floods?

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Re: Saudi Arabia to provide $100 million flood relief aid to Pakistan

:hehe:^aap sey bardasht nahiN howa

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Re: Saudi Arabia to provide $100 million flood relief aid to Pakistan

aaahhhh :mad: