Monday, August 16, 2010

Pakistan floods global aid 'pitiful' - Clegg


The international response to the devastating floods in Pakistan has been "absolutely pitiful", Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg says. 

He said the UK was "doing a lot", but donations may still be less than hoped for because the public was "struggling to understand" the scale of the crisis.

Mr Clegg spoke as the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) said the total raised by Britons was now £15m.
At least 1,600 people are known to have died in the monsoon floods.
The Pakistani government says up to 20 million people have been affected and some six million are estimated to need urgent food aid.
Aid agencies say survivors, especially children, were also at risk from diseases such as cholera. More >>