International aid not enough to cope with Pak’s catastrophe: UN

NEW YORK - The United Nations (UN) has expressed concern over the slow pace of international aid donations for the Pakistan floods, saying the relief being offered is not sufficient to deal with the country’s worst disaster.

“The scale of the response is still not commensurate with the scale of the disaster of almost unprecedented magnitude,” The New York Times quoted UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon’s spokesman Martin Nesirky, as saying.

“This is a catastrophe that continues to unfold,” Nesirky added, while monsoon rains continue to lash the country.

The UN, which has estimated that nearly 20 million people have been affected by the catastrophe, said the international community has pledged over 460 million dollars, but it still remains short of the target.

“The funding response to the floods is improving, but much more is needed. The effort must be sustained in the days and weeks ahead in order to have the resources to reach the people who desperately need help,” Nesirky said.

According to the UN’s figures, the US has been the single largest donor offering 82 million dollars, and Australia the next largest donor at 26.6 million dollars.

Even though the disaster has come in the holy month of Ramazan, in which charity is considered as a duty, Muslim nations have donated little towards Pakistan floods through the UN.

Turkey is the largest donor with more than 11 million dollars, while Kuwait has offered five million dollars, the UN’s figures stated. (ANI)