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United
Nations: Rajmohan Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi,
has asked people for more help in flood relief efforts in
Pakistan, saying humanitarian needs should transcend international
rift.
"Let us praise and honour the stoic bravery of the victims of
Pakistan's floods," Gandhi said.
The floods in Pakistan have affected over 18 million people. The
UN had appealed for at least $459.7 million for Pakistan, but only
63.4 percent of the amount has been raised, the UN Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Friday.
"These millions of Pakistanis are life-loving, not death-loving
millions," Xinhua quoted Gandhi as saying at the UN headquarters
here Friday.
Gandhi is a research professor at the Centre for South Asian and
Middle Eastern Studies, University of Illinois, US. He is a former
member of the Rajya Sabha and has written many books.
For the rehabilitation of the flood-hit people much more help is
needed from the whole international community, either through the
UN or private donations, he said.
"The UN has helped, the US has helped, this aid has been
priceless, but so much more is needed," Gandhi said.
Gandhi said India's sympathy for the Pakistanis could be an
opportunity for the "removal of the wall of enmity and mistrust"
between the two countries.
"It is a possibility, and it really depends on so many of us in
India and Pakistan if we are to take advantage of this," Gandhi
said.
Meanwhile, Abduallah Hussain Haroon, permanent representative of
Pakistan to the UN, said he greatly appreciated donations from
"people of all races, all colours and all religions", including
the people and government of India.
Disease, displacement and economic problems are certain to linger
long beyond the initial recovery stage, he said, adding "This is
the tip of the iceberg, the worst is yet to happen".
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