Thursday, 24 November 2005The government has pledged an extra Tú25 million to help the victims of the South Asia earthquake, which is thought to have killed 73,000 people.
This latest cash boost comes on top of Tú33m already given in short-term aid, and the Tú70m pledged last week for long-term reconstruction.
International Development Secretary Hilary Benn said the cash would fund airlifts of supplies to remote areas.
There was a race against time to help those above the snow-line, he said.
Plummeting temperatures
The new pledge comes after the Disasters Emergency Committee urged governments across the world to "dig deep" to prevent an escalation of the humanitarian crisis as winter sets in.
It revealed, earlier this week, that the British public had donated more than Tú40 million to help bring food, tents, medicines and other supplies to the 3.3 million affected by the quake in India, Pakistan and Kashmir.
And earlier this month, President Pervez Musharraf of Pakistan, the country hardest hit, criticised Western governments for failing to respond adequately to the demands of the tragedy.
Islamabad has said it needs $5.2 billion (Tú3.14 bn) to tackle the devastation caused by the quake.
This plea was mirrored by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, who recently toured the disaster zone.
Speaking on BBC Radio Five Live, Mr Benn said: "Britain's going to be providing an additional Tú25 million for the relief effort. This is going to enable us to continue to provide support as the winter approaches.
"We're still in a race against time - in particular to get help to people who are living above the snow line.
"This is going to support the funding of four Mi-8 helicopters from now until the end of March, because the UN has been saying for some time we need long term commitments to carry on with the operation."
The extra cash would also help provide shelter, medical care, food, water and sanitation, he said.
A team of officers from the Royal Engineers will also be deployed to help quake survivors in remote villages set up shelters in preparation for sub-zero winter temperatures.
BBC News
November 24, 2005 |
Thursday, 24 November 2005
BBC News
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