The federal government has decided not to accept any aid from foreign donors for the October 26 earthquake-affected people. In a high-level meeting held under Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif here on Tuesday morning, the premier told the authorities not to accept any aid from foreign donors as the government’s initial survey gives the government the confidence of meeting the challenge from its own resources.
Meanwhile, the government has also decided that the compensation package for the affected people would be finalised in consultation with the KP government. The prime minister, it is said, will fly to Peshawar today (Wednesday) to chair a meeting to be attended by the governor and chief minister KP to finalise and announce a joint compensation and rehabilitation package for the affected people.
Official sources said in Tuesday’s meeting on the earthquake situation, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) chief Maj Gen Asghar Nawaz informed the premier that the authority had been approached by certain foreign donors offering aid. The DG NDMA wanted a policy decision from the prime minister whether or not to accept the foreign donations. The United Nations led the way by offering help in providing relief to the victims, making it clear in a statement that the world body would support the ongoing relief effort and mobilise any support, if requested.
Rescuers fear that several hundred children sleeping outside on the Kalash Valley’s freezing slopes may die from exposure if they do not reach them soon with food, blankets and emergency shelter. Mass burial ceremonies are being conducted as officials warned that the death toll could spike as entire communities remain inaccessible amid freezing winter conditions. In other remote areas residents – including children and the elderly – were helping with relief work, many of them digging through piles of rubble for survivors. Why are we still thinking we can do this on our own? Whatever the agenda, whether it is to appear to be the opposite of General Musharraf, who in 2005 took in as much aid as he could, or whether this is about national ego, the priority should have been maximising help to the victims. If we can do it all ourselves, we could save our resources for the IDP crisis, or the landslide victims, or for a number of things, and use the foreign aid for the earthquake victims. But leadership in Pakistan is not famous for it its farsightedness.The total death toll stands at 343 with at least 260 people killed in Pakistan and around 83 in Afghanistan. More than 2,000 people were injured. Winter is here, and a fake sense of positivity created by the government is costing lives.
pk.shafaqna.com
