Flood losses beyond govt resources: PM

SUKKUR: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Sunday said that the floods had caused more destruction than the 2005 earthquake and the country’s resources could not cope with the losses.

However, the prime minister said the government will not leave the flood affected people alone and would utilise all its resources to help them in this hour of trial. He was talking to the media during his visit to the Sukkur Barrage.

ìThe government will seek assistance from the international community after a detailed estimation of the losses once the flood is over,î Gilani said. He appealed to the international community to stand by Pakistan in this hour of trial.

Prime Minister Gilani also directed the government organisations and activists of the Pakistan Peopleís Party (PPP) to take active part in the relief activities.

Earlier, at the office of Executive Engineer, Sukkur Barrage, the prime minister was given a briefing by Sindh Irrigation Secretary Shujauddin Junejo on the flood position, measures taken for rescue and assistance of the flood victims.

Gilani said it was believed that three districts of Sindh would be affected by the breach, which occurred in a bund on Friday. As a result, many more areas could submerge in water, he said. The government, he said, was striving to accelerate the rescue operation and not to spare any effort in the rehabilitation.

ìThe devastation and the loss caused by the flood are irrecoverable and the country has been pushed back by many years,î the premier said, adding: “Whatever we can do within our resources we are doing and will continue to do. However, the loss is far too great.”

Prime Minister Gilani said that he had spoken to US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and told her that the country had suffered a tremendous loss. It cannot be estimated for the time being as the flow of flood water is continuing and more water is pouring in. The number of victims could end up in millions.

ìThe Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank will be asked to make an estimate of the losses once the flood subsides,î the prime minister said, adding the estimation will be shared with the world and the loss will be jointly surmounted.

He said for expeditious rescue work, directives had been issued to all relevant organisations, including the Army, Navy, Air Force and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) that no effort should be spared.

Gilani said the immediate need was for food, water, medicines and camps for which the federal government would do everything possible. Arrangements will be made for food and tents will be dispatched, he added.

APP adds: Prime Minister Gilani also undertook an aerial view of the destruction caused by the flood, flying in a helicopter from the Sukkur Barrage to the Guddu Barrage. The prime minister also viewed the areas of Tori in Kandhkot besides Ghauspur and other areas.

Meanwhile, the premier has postponed the death anniversary of his father to express solidarity with the flood-hit people of the country. According to a press release issued by the prime minister’s media coordinator, the prime minister has put off anniversary proceedings of his father, Alamdar Hussain Gilani, scheduled for Ramazan 03. He said money for the purpose would be spent on provision of relief to flood-hit areas. The death anniversary of the prime minister’s father, who died in 1978, is observed on Ramazan 03 every year.