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US doubles helicopters for Pakistan flood relief
Source: Agencies |
August 28, 2010, Saturday
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THE Pentagon said yesterday it would double the number of US helicopters to help with relief efforts in Pakistan after epic floods that have overwhelmed the fragile government there.
An additional 18 helicopters would arrive in mid-September as part of an expanded US contribution to deal with the floods, the Pentagon said. These would be in addition to 15 helicopters and three C-130 aircraft already there.
Rajiv Shah, administrator for the US Agency for International Development, said it was clear after he personally surveyed flood damage this week that significant resources would be needed when the waters receded.
"The scale and scope of this natural disaster is astronomical," he told a news conference in Washington on his return from Pakistan.
The floods have affected more than 20 million people and Shah said about 23 percent of the country's cropland -- or 4.3 million acres -- was under water.
More than 9 million people are in need of immediate support because of the raging waters, which have spread out over a landmass bigger than Italy, he said.
Shah created a stir when he visited a flood victims' camp on Wednesday where some supplies had been distributed days earlier by militant groups who are trying to compete for hearts and minds via much-needed aid.
An additional 18 helicopters would arrive in mid-September as part of an expanded US contribution to deal with the floods, the Pentagon said. These would be in addition to 15 helicopters and three C-130 aircraft already there.
Rajiv Shah, administrator for the US Agency for International Development, said it was clear after he personally surveyed flood damage this week that significant resources would be needed when the waters receded.
"The scale and scope of this natural disaster is astronomical," he told a news conference in Washington on his return from Pakistan.
The floods have affected more than 20 million people and Shah said about 23 percent of the country's cropland -- or 4.3 million acres -- was under water.
More than 9 million people are in need of immediate support because of the raging waters, which have spread out over a landmass bigger than Italy, he said.
Shah created a stir when he visited a flood victims' camp on Wednesday where some supplies had been distributed days earlier by militant groups who are trying to compete for hearts and minds via much-needed aid.
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