Alex Salmond announces £300,000 Scottish Government aid for flood-hit Pakistan

Published on Thursday 2 September 2010 12:59

THE Scottish Government today pledged an extra £300,000 to help the relief effort in Pakistan, where devastating floods have claimed more than 1,600 lives.

The announcement takes ministers' support of the emergency humanitarian effort to 807,000.

Announced by First Minister Alex Salmond at Edinburgh's Blackhall Mosque, the funds will go to 15 Scottish organisations working on the ground to help the victims of last month's floods.

Mr Salmond said: "The severity of the crisis is immense and ongoing, and this is reflected by our decision to allocate 300,000 of extra funding to support the Scottish organisations that are working tirelessly to save lives and rebuild communities.

"It is crucial that people across Scotland continue to give generously and support the aid agencies. The scale of suffering in Pakistan is incredible and so far people in Scotland have donated, with typical generosity, more than 3.9 million to the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal.

"The holy month of Ramadan encourages Muslims to reflect on the poor and hungry throughout the world and the burden they bear. And this year's Ramadan fast is a particularly poignant occasion for many Muslims, as we remember those in Pakistan whose lives have been left devastated.

"Charity is at the heart of Ramadan and it is heartening that people of all faiths and none, throughout Scotland, are collecting aid and continuing to raise funds for the emergency appeal.

"It's absolutely essential that we do not forget those who are suffering from the floods and that we continue to give generously to save lives, and also provide hope to the people of Pakistan."

The groups set to receive a share of the increased funding are Islamic Relief, Concern Worldwide, Christian Aid, Save the Children, the University of Glasgow, UCare Foundation, SCIAF, Mercy Corps, Oxfam, CBM, British Red Cross, Sightsavers, Healing Wounds, Islamic Centre Glasgow and Edinburgh Direct Aid.

Mervyn Lee, executive director of Mercy Corps, said the money was desperately needed.

He said: "The floods have devastated communities on a massive scale, with over five million people - the equivalent to the population of Scotland - made homeless and now facing the very real threat of water-borne disease.

"The Scottish Government funds, like all the donations we receive, will go straight to help the people of Pakistan, many of whom have lost everything."

The Scottish Government said its total support for Pakistan this year has now risen to more than 1.2 million. This includes 400,000 of development funds allocated to projects that help communities work their way out of extreme poverty.