WASHINGTON: A prominent US lawmaker described $ 53million USAID to flood-ravaged Pakistan as a ‘drop in bucket’ and urged President Joe Biden’s administration to do much more for relief of an estimated 30 million displaced people in country. Addressing members of Pakistan-American community in Edison, New Jersey, US Chairman of Senate Foreign Relations Committee Bob Menendez said, “We need to stand together with Pakistan.” He expressed his sympathy over heavy loss of life resulting from climate-induced floods and maintained “We have to get a disaster relief package for Pakistan from US Congress and organise an international donors’ conference for flood victims.” American Pakistani Public Affairs Committee Menendez furthered that he is willing to work with anyone in US Congress, “who is willing to work with us to help Pakistan”.

Head of APPAC Dr Ijaz Ahmad welcomed Menendez and said, “Pakistani community was working hard to raise funds for their compatriots in distress.” Other committee members, including academic Faizan Haq, Dr Mehmood Alam and Asad Chaudhry, were also present at event.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to US Masood Khan thanked Senator Menendez, Congress and US government for expressing solidarity with Pakistan and for providing timely assistance for initial stage of flood response in country. Ambassador Khan also thanked Senator Menendez for closely monitoring flood situation in Pakistan and reaching out to US administration for providing urgent humanitarian assistance for rescue and for advocating a long-term commitment to rehabilitation and reconstruction.

He expressed his gratitude towards US for acknowledging link between extreme weather patterns stemming from climate change and unprecedented floods in Pakistan.

Ambassador Khan lauded role of Pakistani-American community, humanitarian organisations, civil society members and philanthropists in mobilising support for flood victims in country.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 19 2022

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