Quake-hit Pakistan desperate for food, heat, shelter and helicopters
-04/12/05
As the
Quake-hit Pakistan desperate for food, heat, shelter and helicopters
-04/12/05
As the crisis on the ground continues, the United Nation’s World Food Programme has announced that it needs some 70 million US dollars to maintain helicopter relief flights to Pakistani earthquake survivors throughout the winter.
Millions of people have been left hungry and homeless as a result of the Kashmiri quake. The WFP says that this is the largest emergency it has ever had to cope with and only has enough money to last through to the end of January 2006.
“We need substantial help,” executive director James Morris told the BBC yesterday. “We have never had a crisis where the use of helicopters was so criticalÖ given the weather, the rugged terrain and our need to pre-position a huge amount of food in places throughout the affected area.”
In October 2005, Baroness Williams of Crosby, who is a practicing Catholic, wrote to UK defence secretary John Reid asking for ìimmediate actionî to release British military helicopters currently being deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan so that they could assist victims of the Pakistan earthquake, especially those in Kashmir.
She added that as well as saving lives this goodwill gesture would also build relationships between the West and alienated Muslims, demonstrating a willingness to put resources relief before resources for military operations.
The Liberal Democrat peer, also a professor of politics and an author on the issue of politics and religion, said that some redeployment of helicopters could take place without imperilling the security situation.
Her idea was backed by humanitarian groups and by the UK Christian think-tank, Ekklesia. But it was fairly instantly dismissed by UK government spokespeople.
The big problem confronting governments, NGOs and international bilateral assistance groups is the harsh Himalayan winter. It is this that necessitates a continuing supply of tents, food and heating to vulnerable communities.
In particular, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) says the issue of shelter “is becoming more critical”.
And the added difficulty is one of access is mountainous and treacherous conditions, which is why the ability to fly in aid and fly out people is so important.
The US has released a number of helicopters, but ìnot nearly enoughî and NGO commentator told Ekklesia.
[Also on Ekklesia: God and Caesar: Personal Reflections on Politics and Religion, by Shirley Williams; Archbishop of Canterbury to visit quake-hit Pakistan; Faith groups respond rapidly to South Asia quake tragedy; Pope calls for massive aid to Pakistan, India and Afghanistan; US Episcopalians aid victims in Pakistan, India and Central America; Kashmir quake aid crosses communal and belief boundaries]
Quake-hit Pakistan desperate for food, heat, shelter and helicopters
-04/12/05
As the crisis on the ground continues, the United Nation’s World Food Programme has announced that it needs some 70 million US dollars to maintain helicopter relief flights to Pakistani earthquake survivors throughout the winter.
Millions of people have been left hungry and homeless as a result of the Kashmiri quake. The WFP says that this is the largest emergency it has ever had to cope with and only has enough money to last through to the end of January 2006.
“We need substantial help,” executive director James Morris told the BBC yesterday. “We have never had a crisis where the use of helicopters was so criticalÖ given the weather, the rugged terrain and our need to pre-position a huge amount of food in places throughout the affected area.”
In October 2005, Baroness Williams of Crosby, who is a practicing Catholic, wrote to UK defence secretary John Reid asking for ‘immediate action’ to release British military helicopters currently being deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan so that they could assist victims of the Pakistan earthquake, especially those in Kashmir.
She added that as well as saving lives this goodwill gesture would also build relationships between the West and alienated Muslims, demonstrating a willingness to put resources relief before resources for military operations.
The Liberal Democrat peer, also a professor of politics and an author on the issue of politics and religion, said that some redeployment of helicopters could take place without imperilling the security situation.
Her idea was backed by humanitarian groups and by the UK Christian think-tank, Ekklesia. But it was fairly instantly dismissed by UK government spokespeople.
The big problem confronting governments, NGOs and international bilateral assistance groups is the harsh Himalayan winter. It is this that necessitates a continuing supply of tents, food and heating to vulnerable communities.
In particular, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) says the issue of shelter “is becoming more critical”.
And the added difficulty is one of access is mountainous and treacherous conditions, which is why the ability to fly in aid and fly out people is so important.
The US has released a number of helicopters, but ‘not nearly enough’ and NGO commentator told Ekklesia.
[Also on Ekklesia: God and Caesar: Personal Reflections on Politics and Religion, by Shirley Williams; Archbishop of Canterbury to visit quake-hit Pakistan; Faith groups respond rapidly to South Asia quake tragedy; Pope calls for massive aid to Pakistan, India and Afghanistan; US Episcopalians aid victims in Pakistan, India and Central America; Kashmir quake aid crosses communal and belief boundaries]