§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Prime Minister what financial assistance has been given by Her Majesty's Government, to date, to relieve suffering caused by flooding in Pakistan; what other assistance has been given by Her Majesty's Government, to date, to Pakistan, to provide clean water, medical supplies, food, temporary shelter and clothing; and on what date the Government of Pakistan requested formally Her Majesty's Government to assist in relieving hardship caused by flooding.
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 19 October 1992]: Although the Government of Pakistan have made no formal request to the international donor community for relief assistance following the recent flooding, the Government have provided £475,088 for relief aid because of the magnitude of the disaster.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Prime Minister what action he has taken through the EC, the Commonwealth and the United Nations to co-ordinate international assistance to relieve hardship caused by flooding in Pakistan.
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 19 October 1992]: The United Nations, in co-Operation with the Government of Pakistan, has set up a committee of donors to co-ordinate relief efforts. The United Kingdom and its European Community partners, together with the European Commission, have participated in this committee through representatives in Islamabad.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Prime Minister what discussions have taken place between representatives of Her Majesty's Government and the Government of272W Pakistan about help and assistance from the United Kingdom to provide short, medium and long-term aid to Pakistan to rebuild the country following the flooding disaster; and if he will give dates of when such meetings took place and the designation of officials participating.
§ The Prime Minister[holding answer 19 October 1992]: Disastrous floods struck northern Pakistan on the night of 10 to 11 September. Senior officials of the British high aid commission in Islamabad, led by the economic and counsellor had discussed relief aid requirements with federal Government officials on 12 September. A first contribution for emergency relief was made the same day. There have since been weekly meetings between the British high commission and federal Government officials through the forum of the UN Disaster Relief Organisation Programme UN Development—chaired special coordinating committee for flood relief—on 14 and 24 September and 6 October.
On several occasions following the emergency, the British high commissioner has discussed relief requirements with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, notably during a call on the Prime Minister on 21 September, and other senior ministers.
On 17 September the economic aid counsellor in the British high commission—BHC—had discussions with the Chief Secretary, Government of Punjab to determine further relief needs. As a result, we responded with a supply of tents and blankets which arrived in Lahore on 22 September, on a flight met by the same BHC official and the provincial Minister of Revenue.
On 23 September the economic aid counsellor held discussions with senior officials in the Government of Punjab.
On 27 September the first secretary (aid) visited Lahore for further discussions with senior provincial Government officials on relief distribution and further needs. On 6 October the same official visited Jhelum to monitor the delivery and further distribution of relief goods supplied under British aid, where he met district officials.
In addition, the British deputy high commissioner in Karachi and his staff have held regular contacts with Government of Sindh about emergency needs in the province.
The authorities in Pakistan have stressed the need for self reliance in terms of longer-term rehabilitation, and have therefore made no official request for aid for this purpose. However, we will continue to keep in touch with the Government of Pakistan about longer-term requirements in the context of our bilateral aid programme.