United Nations: India has handed over a cheque of USD 20 million to UN chief Ban Ki-moon as its contribution for flood relief in Pakistan, saying it remained committed to assisting its neighbour in time of crisis.
India decided to send the money through the UN after Pakistan requested it to do so as the UN is coordinating the relief and rehabilitation programme.
India's envoy to the UN Hardeep Singh Puri gave the cheque to the UN Secretary General yesterday. After handing over the contribution, Puri said: "The people of India stand by the people of Pakistan in their hour of need we are committed to assisting the people of Pakistan in all possible ways in these difficult times."
"We cannot remain unconcerned with this grave humanitarian crisis of enormous magnitude in our immediate neighbourhood," he added, underlining that India was familiar with the consequences and trauma of natural disasters.
Puri said that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Foreign Minister S M Krishna has spoken to their counterpart in Pakistan and offered assistance.
"As a member of the international community and more importantly as a close neighbour, India recognises its responsibility to support Pakistan," he said. India announced the aid to Pakistan last month after the worst-ever floods in that country and Islamabad accepted the offer after dithering for a week.
Meanwhile, the UN launched the largest ever natural disaster appeal of over USD 2 billion to boost the aid efforts in Pakistan, which has lost large sweeps of infrastructure and agriculture.
"The United Nations and humanitarian community know what to do getting good medicines and tents to people who need them," said Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, after announcing the appeal. "The hard part is reaching so many people with what they need and when they need it that is why your support is crucial," he added. PTI
