Humanitarian Aid - Pakistan earthquake transcript
At the G8 summit in 2005 the UK Government agreed, together with the international community, to rethink the way help is provided in emergency situations.
Why? Because every year 250 million people are affected by natural disasters. In Africa it doubled in the last ten years. These are not one off events.
The Pakistan earthquake in October 2005 was an example of how the UK responds to humanitarian crises, providing funds to relief operations, search and rescue expertise and emergency supplies to help save lives. The Departments for International Development leads the UK response.
DFID also works with other donors, NGO’s and the United Nations to respond to humanitarian crisis as was clearly illustrated by its response to the shattering earthquake of October 2005.
Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed (Deputy Chairman, Earthquake Reconstruction & Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA)): “DFID’s contribution soon after the earthquake was, I think, exceptional by any standard”.
Dr Yusaf Samiullah (Head, DFID Pakistan): “In the first six months the UK spent something like 56 million pounds on emergency earthquake relief. And Hilary Benn, Secretary of State, approved a further 70 million pounds for reconstruction over the longer term”.
So far this has been spent on activities such as reconstructing bridges, training teachers, detecting and treating tuberculosis and providing mental health support services.
“I think the biggest contribution I’d say is DFID’s assistance in helping us evolve an organisation for ERRA which is responsive to the need of earthquake reconstruction and rehabilitation. And I think that was a phenomenal contribution”.
The UK government is providing over £21 million to reduce and prevent the burden of disasters……like the Pakistan earthquake.
The international community spends $5-6 billion a year on humanitarian assistance, the UK $650 million a year
For further information visit www.dfid.gov.uk/g8
