Zardari urges NGOs to help in flood relief efforts

Dawn (Pakistan): President Asif Ali Zardari has urged the Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and philanthropists to join hands with the government to supplement its efforts in overcoming the losses of unprecedented floods and help out the affected people. “The world has never seen such catastrophe and there is need of complete cooperation and coordination among all segments of society to overcome this challenge”, the President said in an inter- active meeting with the representatives of NGOs here at the Aiwan-e- Sadr on Tuesday.

Besides over 70 representatives of various NGOs from across the country, the meeting was also attended among others by Minister for Social Welfare and Special Education, Samina Khalid Ghurki, Secretary General to the President, Salman Farooqui, Pakistan's Ambassador to US, Hussain Haqqani, MNA Farahnaz Ispahani, Chairman Bait-ul-Mal, Zamurd Khan and other officials.

The President said coping with the flood devastation, which affected around 2 million people across the country, would be a long term affair, adding, but “the people are our strength and we will fight this long battle with courage and resilience and till complete rehabilitation of the flood victims”.

He said the government with the support of all segments of society will not only ensure the provision of all out assistance to the flood affectees, but will also devise a comprehensive strategy to save our coming generations from such devastation. The President said, “First, we have to take on the challenge on our own, then expect the others to help and assist”, adding, the nation has the strength to confront any challenge and succeed….