China urges int'l community to extend aid to flood-hit Pakistan

China urges the international community to extend full support and assistance to the Pakistani government in its efforts to mitigate the adverse impacts of the floods, Wang Hongbo, envoy of the Permanent Mission of China to the United Nations (UN), said on Friday after the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution urging support for flood-hit Pakistan.

The resolution, adopted by consensus, urges the international community, in particular donor countries, international financial institutions and relevant international organizations, as well as the private sector and civil society, to scale up its humanitarian assistance and rehabilitation of Pakistan, in order to repair and strengthen the country's prospects for achieving sustainable development.

It encourages member states, the UN, and humanitarian organizations to continue to work together to address the different needs of affected populations, particularly the most vulnerable.

It also emphasizes the need for the international community to maintain its focus beyond the present emergency relief, in order to sustain the political will to support the medium- and long-term rehabilitation, reconstruction and risk reduction efforts as well as the adaptation plan led by the Pakistani government at all levels.

Wang said China supports the UN General Assembly to pass this resolution and hopes it will help the international community to pay further attention to the humanitarian, post-disaster restoration and rehabilitation needs for Pakistan, and provide timely, valid and adequate support and assistance.

China provided massive emergency disaster relief aid to Pakistan since flood hit Pakistan in June this year, Wang said, adding that China is willing to join hands with all parties to continue offering timely help and support to Pakistan on disaster relief and flood recovery work.

According to the data released by Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority on September 29, various disasters caused by record-breaking floods have affected 33.04 million people, killed 1,678 people and destroyed nearly two million houses. Nearly eight million people were displaced, and hundreds of thousands are still living in tents and makeshift homes.

The Chinese government has provided timely emergency assistance to Pakistan including sending tents, food, blankets and other relief supplies via various ways. The Red Cross Society of China provided $300,000 in emergency cash assistance to the Pakistan Red Crescent Society on September 29. 

(With input from Xinhua)

Read more:

China-donated tents assist education, healthcare in flood-hit Pakistan

First batch of flood relief aid from China arrives in Pakistan