Pak’s ‘image deficit’ affecting flow of international funds : UN
By ANITuesday, August 17, 2010
Geneva, Aug.17 (ANI): Pakistan’s dented image concerning the utilisation of international funds is hindering the process of organising funds for the people of the country facing the worst floods in recent years, the United Nations (UN) has said.
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs spokesman Elizabeth Byrs said that Pakistan suffers from an ‘image deficit’ among the people of the western countries.
“We note often an image deficit with regards to Pakistan among Western public opinion. As a result, Pakistan is among countries that are poorly financed, like Yemen,” The Nation quoted Byrs, as saying.
The United Nations has been struggling to obtain 460 million dollars to provide emergency aid to six million victims of the country ravaged by heavy flooding, and the donor countries fear that the aid being flown into Pakistan may end up in the hands of the Taliban.
“The UN must explain to donor states that the money is not going to go to the hands of the Taliban.The victims are the mothers, the farmers, children. But in the past, information linked to Pakistan has always been linked to Taliban and terrorism,” Melanie Brooks, spokeswoman of the humanitarian group, Care International, said.
The UN has stressed that that millions would be needed for relief, rehabilitation of the flood ravaged regions of Pakistan.
According to an estimate about 20 million people have been rendered homeless in one of the worst disasters to hit the country in the last 80 years. (ANI)
