Pakistan: New UN Humanitarian Chief Arrives on First Mission

(Islamabad/New York/Geneva: 7 September 2010): Valerie Amos, the newly appointed United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC), arrived in flood-hit Pakistan today for a three-day visit on her first day on the job.

"Humanitarian work is about reaching people affected by crises, providing emergency assistance, and supporting them through the most difficult times," said Ms. Amos. "The floods here in Pakistan have affected almost 21 million people - it is one of the biggest humanitarian crises the world has seen."

The United Nations and its humanitarian partners, working alongside the Government of Pakistan, have already reached millions of affected people with life saving assistance and are working to assist many millions more. Organizations responding to the crisis initially requested $460 million from donors to cover basic needs. So far just $294 million has been received - 64% of what is needed.

"After a strong start, funding for the Pakistan floods response seems to have reached a plateau," said Ms. Amos. "New donations have dropped to just $20 million over the last two weeks. It is both worrying and disappointing that this is happening when the needs continue to rise and the suffering is still so evident. I urge donors to dig deeper - we will need their support for months to come," she added.

Ms. Amos met today with the Prime Minister of Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, Foreign Secretary Mr. Salman Bashir, and Chairman of the National Disaster Management Authority Lt. Gen. (retired) Nadeem Ahmad. She also met representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the United Nations.

Pakistan's floods, which started at the end of July, continue to displace hundreds of thousands in some areas, while in other parts of the country affected people are struggling to rebuild their lives.

Note for editors:

Before being appointed to her current post by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Ms. Amos served in various positions, including as British High Commissioner to Australia, Leader of the House of Lords in the United Kingdom, British Secretary of State for International Development, and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office with responsibility for Africa, the Caribbean, Consular Affairs, the Commonwealth, Britain's Overseas Territories and Foreign Office Personnel issues.

For further information, please call: OCHA Islamabad: Maurizio Giuliano,+92 300 8502397, giuliano@un.org; Stacey Winston, +92 300 8502690, winston@un.org; OCHA New York: Stephanie Bunker, +1 917 3675126, mobile +1 347 2442106, bunker@un.org; Nicholas Reader, +1 212 963 4961, mobile +1 646 752 3117, reader@un.org; OCHA Geneva: Elisabeth Byrs, +41 79 4734570, byrs@un.org

OCHA press releases are available at http://ochaonline.un.org or www.reliefweb.int