UNITED NATIONS — The United States pledged an additional $60 million Thursday to the U.N. flood-relief effort in Pakistan, bringing its total contribution to $150 million in a move designed to encourage other governments and private donors to boost their aid.
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who announced the new amount in an interview with Pakistan’s Dawn TV, joined Pakistan’s foreign minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and other top U.S. and foreign officials at a U.N. donors conference later Thursday to highlight the extraordinary nature of the floods, which have affected 20 million people.
“Pakistan is facing a slow-motion tsunami,” Ban told the delegates. “At least 160,000 square kilometers of land is under water, an area larger than more than half the countries in the world.”
Pakistan’s president warned Thursday that Islamist terrorists may exploit the chaos and misery caused by the floods to gain new recruits.
The floods have affected 20 million people and about one-fifth of Pakistan’s territory, straining its civilian government as it also struggles against al-Qaeda and Taliban violence.
“All these catastrophes give strength to forces who do not want a state structure,” President Asif Ali Zardari said during a news conference with John Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, after the two visited some of the country’s hardest-hit areas and a relief camp.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
How to help flood victims
Millions of people have been affected by the worst monsoon floods in Pakistan’s history. Here are some organizations that are taking donations for the relief effort.
• American Red Cross | 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767) The American Red Cross is expanding its assistance to Pakistan, sending relief supplies such as tarps, blankets and kitchen items and mobilizing relief workers. To donate, call or go online and click “Donate” and “Support Pakistan Relief and Development.”
• CARE | 800-422-7385 In its mission to provide lifesaving aid to flood victims, CARE is supporting health-care teams, mobile clinics and the distribution of emergency supplies. Call or donate online.
• Catholic Relief Services | 800-736-3467 After immediate needs are met, CRS plans cash-for-work projects that pay survivors for their labor on irrigation channels, pathways, retaining walls and other projects that benefit whole communities. Call or donate online.
• Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres) | 888-392-0392 As flooding continues, MSF is increasing its support of hospitals and health-care centers, and is distributing clean water and relief items including sanitation equipment, drugs and logistical material. Click “Donate Now” or call, 24 hours a day.
• Islamic Relief USA | 888-479-4968 Islamic Relief workers are assisting in the evacuation effort, administering aid and helping serve thousands of flood victims, but the need is still immense. Call or donate online.
• Mercy Corps | 888-256-1900 Mercy Corps’ field team is working to provide clean water, staple foods and cleanup tools to hundreds of affected families. Call or donate online.
• Oxfam America | 800-77-OXFAM (800-776-9326). Outside the United States: 617-482-1211 Over the next three months, Oxfam and partners are working to reach more than 650,000 people with rescue services, clean water, sanitation kits and other essential aid. Call or donate online at Oxfam’s Flood Relief and Recovery Efforts in Pakistan.
• Save the Children | 800-728-3843 With programs in Pakistan for 30 years and the capacity to mount a large-scale relief effort, Save the Children is rushing essential aid to children and families. Call or donate online.
• U.N. World Food Program | Despite bad weather and massive destruction to bridges and roads, WFP has been able to deliver a one-month ration of food to more than 370,000 people and hopes to reach more than 2 million in the next 10 days as the operation gains momentum. Visit the Web site and click “How to Help” or “Donate.”
• UNICEF United States Fund | 800-FOR-KIDS (800-367-5437) Six million children are at risk. UNICEF is providing food, clean water and health-care supplies, and has helped to set up 24 medical camps, but more help is desperately needed. Call or donate online.
