Governments pledge over $200 mn in new funds for Pakistan: UN

NEW YORK - Governments pledged more than $200 million during a debate in the UN General Assembly convened to show solidarity with flood-ravaged Pakistan, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Friday.

The new funds will add to an estimated $250 million already raised as part of a $460-million appeal launched by the UN last week to meet emergency needs by flood victims in the next three months.

Ban said countries around the world have come out “strongly in solidarity and support for the people of Pakistan”.

“I want to thank governments for pledging more than $200 million to boost relief efforts,” he said. “The generosity of countries and individuals will make a real difference in the daily lives of millions of people.”

“We must keep it up,” he said. “This is not just Pakistan’s hour of need - Pakistan is facing weeks, months and years of need.”

Donor countries included the US, which will have given a total of $150 million in emergency relief, with most of the amount pledged before the UN meeting in New York. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced Thursday Washington would give an additional $60 million as part of the total $150 million.

China, an ally of Pakistan, pledged an additional 50 million yuan, or about $7.4 million in humanitarian supplies on top of a previous donation of about $1.5 million in relief supplies.

European governments contributed heavily to help Pakistan deal with the massive challenges of caring for the millions of people affected and reconstruction after flood waters will have receded.

Germany pledged $32 million on top of $18 million already given.

Pakistan, suffering from the worst floods in its history, said it would need billions of dollars to rebuild infrastructure, housing and particularly its agriculture.