Geneva – Governments and other donors told the United Nations on Wednesday that they were pledging an additional $580 million for Pakistani earthquake victims, but U.N. officials said it was unclear how much would be earmarked for immediate relief efforts with the bitter Himalayan winter looming.
The U.N. had requested $550 million in immediate aid on the eve of the donors’ conference in Geneva, but officials said some of the new money might go to other humanitarian organizations or future reconstruction projects.
So far, $111 million has been specifically earmarked for the U.N. appeal, top U.N. relief coordinator Jan Egeland told reporters after the meeting.
“The good news is that we have very good pledges, but the bad news for us is that too little is committed to the U.N.’s flash appeal,” he said.
He harshly criticized donors who are giving money for reconstruction, saying many of the survivors may not live long enough to benefit unless they get food and shelter soon.
“It is not right to sit with the money for reconstruction for one year from now if it is a question of whether people will still be alive,” Egeland said.
The flash appeal is for U.N. agencies and a number of charities, including Save the Children and Catholic Relief Services. It does not cover separate appeals by agencies such as the Red Cross, even though some are working with U.N. agencies in the field.
Nearly half the new pledges – $250 million – came from the Islamic Development Bank, the financial arm of the 57-member Organization of the Islamic Conference, said Toby Lanzer, Egeland’s aide. He said he believed the money was for reconstruction.
The United States increased its aid package to $156 million from $106 million, including airlifts by the U.S. military. But the U.S. stopped short of committing its new funds to the U.N.- led relief effort.
