Pakistan will require long-term aid, says Britain's Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg (During Visit)

[Turborama]

Source: BBC

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has warned flood-hit Pakistan will need aid for years to come, after seeing the devastation there for himself.

Mr Clegg said the threat of disease and exploitation by extremist groups meant the disaster would have a "long tail".

After visiting camps near the southern town of Sukkur in one of the worst hit regions, he said the "aftershocks" would "last for a long time".

=snip=

"I think the sheer scale of this, it is really quite difficult to comprehend," said Mr Clegg. "We have to make a huge effort to provide important emergency aid, but really stick with this for the long term."

Mr Clegg stressed the flood waters had not drained away in many areas and there was a "real danger of diseases taking hold. It's going to take years and years for normality to come back to Pakistan," he said.

Read more: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-11150627

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Related video: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x500531">Devastation In Pakistan: Sanjay Gupta's Special On The Enormous Humanitarian Crisis That's Unfolding

And related Op: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x9042472">Millions of Pakistani kids risk waterborne disease (Dialup & Upsetting Images Warning)

Also, for more details/photos/videos of what's been going on in Pakistan since this gigantic disaster began please check my Journal (there is so many new articles/videos etc that the archives are actually recent additions): http://journals.democraticunderground.com/Turborama

[woo me with science]

1. If there is, there had better damned well be a system to account for it

and ensure it actually goes toward relief.

[cosmicone]

3. + 10000

Actually the aid should only consist of food, water, medicines, civilian clothing, temporary housing, civilian building materials, fertilizer and seed-stock for the next crop. No cash, no fighter jets, no radar systems, no submarines, no troop gear.

Actually, during the 2005 earthquake, the winter clothing sent to people was diverted to the military -- so all clothing sent should have "Not for military use" woven into the fabric or printed in bold waterproof ink. That is the only way that at least some of it reaches the people who are suffering.

[sabrina 1]

4. During the 2005 earthquake, the country was ruled by

Musharaff. He is no longer in power and if the move towards a less militarized government, starting with the current U.S. backed government, is to succeed, it must be supported by the rest of the world.

Aid should consist of whatever is needed, money included.

Your own prejudices aside, Pakistan's survival is vital, not only to the neighboring countries, to the U.S. but to whole world.

[OhioChick]

5. +1000 n/t

[closeupready]

6. +2000

n/t

[cosmicone]

7. Even in the last year, Pakistan has misappropriated aid

despite having a civilian puppet government. Did you not read the GAO report on Pakistan's aid?

"Whatever that is needed" is not to be determined by a corrupt and bloated military but by what is usual, customary and reasonable as aid for flood victims.

One doesn't ask the Pentagon what is needed for Katrina victims.

Pakistan's civilian government is a puppet and rules at the military's pleasure. It has always been so.

[sabrina 1]

9. So, you are supporting the return of Musharaff who is planning

to run again for re-election?

I think the U.S. has already decided that their puppet government is a vast improvement over the former military government.

Pakistan's military has been fighting extremist groups there for years. Many of their sodiers have died carrying out that mission.

Your black-and-white view of the issues facing Pakistan should they ever be implemented would result in total chaos for millions of people. Even India appears to understand this right now.

The world will have to step up, as the British and the U.S. governments, plus the U.N. and other nations, and help Pakistan. First it is the right thing to do, but for many countries it is the necessary thing to do considering what a failed Pakistani state would do to the rest of the region, and many parts of the world.

[cosmicone]

10. I have no say in supporting anyone to be Pakistan's elected leader.

However, unless the military is weakened and ISI shut down, no civilian government stands a chance -- ever.

Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was one of the strongest PM's of Pakistan and he was HANGED by General Zia ul Haq.

Even the current President Zardari was in Musharraf's jail for corruption.

The Pakistani military has been made too strong by continuous foreign aid. The only way to weaken it is if all the aid going there is in the form of food, medicines, civilian clothing, temporary housing, civilian construction materials, fertilizers, seed and domestic supplies. These are the very same items Israel allows into Gaza for the very same reasons.

If you want a strong civilian government in Pakistan, you'd support my views and not oppose them.

We all wish well for a peaceful, non-threatening Pakistan which wouldn't even need a quarter of the current military strength. The military strength is sucking the very life out of civilian programs and investments that would create jobs and opportunities to the poor people who don't have the same dreams of conquering and bullying the neighborhood a la moguls like the Pakistani military does.

[OhioChick]

12. "If you want a strong civilian government in Pakistan, you'd support my views and not oppose them."

:rofl:

[Turborama]

14. Is Ignored hijacking yet another thread about this enormous humanitarian crisis?

At least they're helping keep it kicked though, I suppose.

[OhioChick]

15. That obvious? n/t

[sabrina 1]

16. I thought that was pretty funny also. Especially since there is no

plan to save the lives of the people who are dying right now, and who, without help, are likely to keep dying from starvation, dehydration, deseases, long-term exposure to the elements etc. :eyes:

[sabrina 1]

13. Right now it is the Pakistani military who have played the largest

role in saving lives over there.

The U.S. military, also helping in the rescue effort, has highly praised the Pakistani Military for their work and for their cooperation and their provision of security for the U.S. military.

I do not agree with your views. Not at all. If Pakistan is to become a stable country, it is necessary right now that they receive all the help they need to keep the current government in power.

Your way would collapse the government and destabilize the entire region and virtually guarantee a takeover by extremist elements. I think you are blinded by ideology and like all ideologues, in no way capable of viewing the situation from a rational viewpoint.

[sabrina 1]

8. That is less of a worry now that Musharaff is gone.

However, all funds donated to any country suffering like this should be monitored.

We know what the U.S. eg, has done with our own tax money, spending it on weapons and wars etc.

So I agree, money donated to causes like this should always be spent on what it was intended for.

[cosmicone]

11. +1000 n/t

[no_hypocrisy]

2. Add it to the list

1. Afghanistan
2. Iraq
3. Pakistan
4. USA