Prominent US lawmaker asks Biden administration to increase aid to flood-hit Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Bob Menendez has urged the Biden administration to send more aid to Pakistan in the wake of the recent floods, reported the state-owned media on Sunday, describing the amount shared with the South Asian state a “drop in a bucket.”
Pakistan witnessed record monsoon rains and massive flooding in the last three months which destroyed houses, farmlands and public infrastructure across the country.
According to official estimates, the rehabilitation activities can last for years and may cost the government over $40 billion.
The international community has tried to help Pakistan by sending flood relief items, including food, medicines and tents, to help families displaced by the erratic weather conditions, though the country requires greater humanitarian assistance.
“The US government has provided $53 million as humanitarian assistance for flood victims, but this is like a drop in a bucket and we would need to do more for flood victims,” Menendez said while addressing an event organized by the Pakistani-American community in New Jersey according to Radio Pakistan.
“We have to get a disaster relief package for Pakistan from the US Congress and organize an international donors conference for the flood victims in Pakistan,” the Associated Press of Pakistan news agency quoted him as saying.
“I am willing to work with anyone in the US Congress who is willing to work with us to help Pakistan,” he continued.
Pakistan’s envoy to the US, Masood Khan, thanked the Biden administration for expressing solidarity with his country and providing timely assistance during the initial stages of flood response.
Khan praised the US senator for closely monitoring the flood situation in Pakistan and seeking a long-term commitment from the administration in Washington for rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts.
He also thanked US officials for acknowledging the link between extreme weather patterns stemming from climate change and the unprecedented floods in his country.
“The real challenge lies ahead as we enter the phase of bringing life back to the flood-affected areas, rebuilding roads, repairing and restoring infrastructure, generate, cultivate crop land and construct houses, schools and hospitals,” he told the gathering.
Other embassy officials praised the Pakistani diaspora community for making efforts to help their country after floods.
“Our diaspora community has always stood up in times of need,” Ayesha Ali, Consul General of Pakistan in New York, said. “The biggest challenge would be in the recovery and relief phase and we should continue to support flood victims in Pakistan.”