UN envoy to discuss relief for Pakistan’s flood victims

NEW YORK - A UN envoy will assess flood conditions in Pakistan and seek international assistance for the beleaguered victims of the natural disaster, a UN spokesman said Wednesday.

“In response to the tragic flood disaster in Pakistan, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has asked his special envoy for assistance to Pakistan, Jean-Maurice Ripert, to travel to the country as soon as possible,” said spokesman Martin Nesirky.

Ripert, France’s former ambassador to the UN, was to arrive in Pakistan Thursday to join the UN team and Pakistani organisations already working to assist victims of massive floods afflicting the country, Nesirky said.

He said Ripert and UN humanitarian officials in Pakistan will “help mobilise support from the international community to assist the government of Pakistan in addressing the urgent, immediate needs of the population in the affected areas and in planning for the early recovery and reconstruction period”.

Ripert will report to Ban on the situation and the ongoing relief efforts, Nesirky said.