Donors open pockets & hearts
$5.82b pledges surpass rebuilding target
By Makhdoom Babar

ISLAMABAD—World Community and international aid agencies in an impressive response to Pakistan’s call for aid have pledged 5.82 billion dollar grant, soft loans and relief goods for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of quake affectees.
Pakistan had appealed to the world for 5.2 billion dollar at the World Donors Conference on Saturday. However the world community in an impressive response announced pledges for Pakistan quake victims with an open heart.
Asian Development Bank and world Bank announced 1 billion dollars each Islamic Development Bank pledged 501.6 million dollars, UK and US announced 120 million and 510 million dollars respectively, Turkey announced 150 million dollars, Iran 200 million dollars, China 300 million dollars loan, Saudi Arabia 133 million dollar aid and 187 million dollar loan. While several countries also write off their loans.
Asian Development Bank President announcing 1 billion dollar aid for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of quake affected areas said that out of this 80 million dollars would be given as grant financing and this amount would be used on construction of homes, schools, restoration of power supplies, governance and improvement of departments. Islamic Development Bank president Dr Ahmed Mohammad Ali pledging 501.6 million dollars said we are with the Pakistani nation in their times of need and would extend every possible support for the rehabilitation efforts. He said that out of 501.6 million dollars 251.6 million dollars will be provided immediately, while the case for remaining 250 million dollars will be put before the Bank. The entire amount will be utilized on reconstruction purpose, the affectees will be provided the financial assistance in the form of grant and concession financing.
Meanwhile Mr Praful Patal, World Bank’s vice president for South Asia has said that international community will have to show a robust response to the calamity, which destroyed the houses of most of the affected region. “We already know that South Asia is prone to natural disasters and after such and huge disaster, we have to put our act together to face the challenge. Here again we will have to show the response and should not leave Pakistan in this difficult situation,” he said and stressed the need of creating a better coordination in rehabilitation activities.
He announced that World Bank will provide 1 billion dollars from which an amount of 472 million dollars have already been provided while 300 million dollars will be disbursed within 24 hours. He said Bank will continue its incessant support for Pakistan in  its rehabilitation and reconstruction programmes. We will also provide 300 million dollars package to Pakistan for poverty alleviation programmes, he added.
Mr Praful also hailed the Poverty Alleviation Program of the government of Pakistan pledging that World Bank will continue support to Pakistan in its ongoing development projects. He also expressed the hope that Pakistan will have to introduce few reforms for this purpose.
Speaking on the occasion Gareth Thomas, UK’s deputy minister for World Development said that United Kingdom as European Union President has already provided an amount of 274 million dollars for relief and rehabilitation purpose. He said the amount has been provided in form of cash and relief goods. We also pledge to continue our support in the rehabilitation of quake-affected areas in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and NWFP.
He also pledged an amount of 120 million dollars for quake affectees. He also hailed the local government system under which the power has been transferred to grass root level.
Benita Ferrero of European Commission said we are well aware of the catastrophe Pakistan met on October 8 and will continue our support for rehabilitation and reconstruction of quake ravaged areas. She announced a grant of 110 million dollars during the current year besides pledging an all out support for the rehabilitation program. She expressed the hope that an audit system for transparent flow of funds to affected people will be adopted saying it is the most imperative issue we have to address at present.
She also stressed upon India and Pakistan to make full use of the present aura of peace and tranquility. International Monetary Fund Director Mohsin Khan said earthquake catastrophe affect the economy of Pakistan. He also identified that the growth of crops in quake affected areas of NWFP will be a blow to the economy of Pakistan, while pointing out that the cotton crop would also fall below the set target. He also said that the reconstruction procedure will also hamper the national budget fearing that the GDP could fall upto 1 to 1.5 percent.
At present, he said the ratio of loans is more and the rehabilitation activities will also increase budget deficit. He said that IMF will give an easy loan of 375 million dollars to Pakistan to help the country in rehabilitation process. Deputy Prime Minister of Turkey pledged an amount of 150 million dollars for reconstruction purpose besides assuring that people and government of Turkey will stand by people and government of Pakistan in this testing hour.
USAID head stated that people and government of United States will support Pakistan in this critical moment, we have suffered natural disasters ourselves and could understand the intensity of October 8 killer earthquake. “We have already donated 50 million dollars in ‘President Relief Fund’, whereas our helicopters and mobile hospitals are already working in quake ravaged areas,” he said and added US will further provide an amount of 510 million dollars for the rehabilitation of quake affectees.
He said Chief Executive Officer under directives of President George W Bush will soon visit Pakistan. Japan’s senior vice deputy foreign minister Yasoisi Shoshki said that Japan is busy in relief activities in Pakistan, we have already provided 20 million dollars emergency relief fund; whereas we will provide 100 million dollars more for rehabilitation purpose. Besides relief aide, we will also provide loans for reconstruction and rehabilitation purpose.
French Foreign Minister Philipe said that the October 8 catastrophe is the worst in the history of the country and France will provide $94 million in grants on soft terms. About $35 million meant for various projects of reconstruction and rehabilitation will be soon provided. It is our desire that aid is utilized practically and correctly, he said.

Don’t leave victims at winter’s mercy: Annan

ISLAMABAD—UN Secretary General Kofi Annan Saturday called for mounting “unprecedented response” to the “unprecedented earthquake” to help hundreds of thousands of people devastated by the October 8 tragedy. “The sheer impact of magnitude is still emerging but one thing all of us know already is that we must be prepared to work together in the long run,” he told the International Donors Conference.
President General Pervez Musharraf unveiled the reconstruction and rehabilitation plan at the conference opened by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz at the Convention Centre. Over 300 delegates from foreign countries, international donor agencies and corporate  sector are attending the day-long meeting. The UN Chief urged the world to ensure that the earthquake did not claim more lives that it already had done. Annan, who visited the quake-hit areas in Muzaffarabad on Friday said the work and statistics fell terribly short to convey the human sufferings of the people and families.
He appreciated the assistance by the international community in launching the massive relief efforts but stressed to sustain the efforts. “There are no ready-made solutions to many challenges that catastrophe has brought with it,” he said while adding, pooling of assets and resources and expertise remained vital to the relief efforts. The 7.6 magnitude earthquake had left at least 73,000 dead, some 69,000 seriously injured and an estimated 3.5 million people without shelter.
The U.N. Chief called for moving simultaneously on meeting the needs in immediate, medium and the long term needs of relief, saving life, early recovery, restoring livelihood and building economies in the devastated areas.” Alluding to the urgency of meeting immediate humanitarian needs, Annan said difficult terrain in Kashmir and the northern region had made it one of the most challenging relief operation anywhere in the world.—Agencies