Hmmmmmm. I do not know why all the hemming-and-hawing about putting this UNGA information out. Some of it has been leaking since yesterday. Well here you have it, finally!
Secretary Clinton to Deliver Remarks to Plenary Meeting of the UN General Assembly on the Humanitarian Situation Resulting from the Floods in Pakistan
Office of the SpokesmanWashington, DCAugust 18, 2010
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will deliver remarks to a plenary meeting of the UN’s General Assembly on Thursday, August 19 on the humanitarian situation resulting from the floods in Pakistan.
The General Assembly meeting, currently scheduled to take place at approximately 3:00 p.m., will be an opportunity to express solidarity and to further mobilize the support of Member States and the international community for the situation in Pakistan. The UN Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has launched an initial appeal for $460 million for immediate relief in Pakistan.
Secretary Clinton is currently scheduled to give remarks at the plenary meeting at approximately 4:00 p.m. She will also hold bilateral meetings with Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-Moon and Pakistani Foreign Minister Qureshi. Additional details on media coverage for events are to be announced.
The United States is already responding to this crisis in a number of ways in close coordination with the Government of Pakistan and their disaster management specialists:
- To date, we have committed approximately $90 million to support relief efforts in Pakistan, including funding for the operations of the Pakistan National Disaster Management Authority, the UN’s emergency relief plan, and the many local and international organizations responding to this disaster.
- U.S. humanitarian relief experts have been deployed to the field.
- U.S. helicopters have evacuated 5,912 people and delivered 717,713 pounds of relief supplies.
- We’ve sent boats to help with search and rescue and water purification units to provide clean water for thousands of people as well as temporary bridges to replace the bridges damaged by the floods.
As Secretary Clinton said in a statement last week: “The United States has a history of working with the Government of Pakistan to respond to natural disasters. Today, we’re continuing that tradition. We’ve been working hard over the past year to build a partnership with the people of Pakistan and this is an essential element of that partnership; reaching out and helping each other in times of need.” For more information, please click here.
American citizens can contribute directly to this relief effort. Using cell phones, individuals can text the word “SWAT” to the number 50555 to make a $10 contribution that will help the UN High Commissioner for Refugees provide tents, clothing, food, clean drinking water, and medicine to people displaced by floods. When prompted, reply with “yes” to confirm your gift.
For additional details, you can also contact the UN Media accreditation Office (212) 963-6934.
