[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1613 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 1613

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                    September 16, 2010.
Whereas heavy rainfall that began on July 22, 2010, and subsequent flooding 
        throughout Pakistan have caused a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented 
        proportions that has affected over 20,000,000 people, killing more than 
        1,750, injuring over 2,700, damaging or destroying upwards of 1,800,000 
        houses, and displacing millions of men, women, and children;
Whereas the devastation wrought by the floods has been catastrophic, submerging 
        one-fifth of the country and destroying critical infrastructure, farms, 
        schools, homes, and businesses, leaving an estimated 800,000 Pakistanis 
        stranded and cut off from all help;
Whereas according to the Government of Pakistan, the floods have affected 30 
        percent of all agricultural land and could lower by one-half Pakistan's 
        economic growth rate for the current fiscal year, further destabilizing 
        a nation already beset by multiple daunting challenges;
Whereas the emergency continues to unfold in Sindh Province, where just under 
        7,000,000 people have already been affected, of whom 1,300,000 are in 
        government relief camps, with new evacuation orders recently having been 
        issued;
Whereas the danger of the floods extends beyond the current humanitarian crisis, 
        with the potential to create significant instability in Pakistan;
Whereas the Pakistani Army, Navy, and Frontier Corps have sent humanitarian 
        supplies and medical teams to flood-hit areas, while the National and 
        Provincial Disaster Management Authorities have coordinated 
        international relief activities;
Whereas the United States has responded to the crisis with relief and recovery 
        funds, food and medical supplies, and logistical support that account 
        for more than 20 percent of total international humanitarian 
        contributions and commitments;
Whereas the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), through 
        its Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), has supported 26 
        mobile medical teams, delivered more than 8,000 rolls of plastic 
        sheeting to provide temporary shelter for approximately 247,000 people, 
        and dispatched 13 mobile water treatment units to support the Government 
        of Pakistan's flood relief effort, which have produced more than 
        12,000,000 liters of clean water;
Whereas USAID's Office of Food for Peace (FFP) has provided direct support for 
        the United Nations World Food Program's food ration distributions, 
        helping to reach approximately 3,000,000 Pakistanis with more than 
        48,000 metric tons of food;
Whereas the United States Department of Defense has dispatched 23 military 
        helicopters and four C-130 aircraft to deliver more than 5,000,000 
        pounds of relief supplies and has rescued more than 13,000 flood-
        affected individuals;
Whereas the United States has provided civilian and military in-kind assistance 
        in the form of halal meals, prefabricated steel bridges, and other 
        infrastructure support;
Whereas the United States is working in close partnership with United Nations-
        affiliated and international humanitarian organizations to support 
        relief, recovery, and reconstruction;
Whereas the Pakistani-American community has demonstrated strong leadership in 
        rallying support for flood victims, directing public attention to the 
        crisis, and disseminating information about the response;
Whereas scores of United States private and voluntary organizations have 
        mobilized quickly to respond to the crisis in Pakistan with both 
        emergency relief and longer term development assistance, raising over 
        $11,000,000 in private donations for assessing emergency needs, 
        distributing water, food, and relief items, and providing medical care 
        and temporary shelter;
Whereas the success of United States Government humanitarian efforts depends 
        heavily on the skills, expertise, and field presence of international 
        and nongovernmental organizations;
Whereas United States businesses have contributed more than $8,000,000 in 
        humanitarian assistance for Pakistani flood victims;
Whereas the immediate and swift reaction of United States military personnel, 
        diplomats, and development experts has saved countless lives and 
        encouraged a generous international response;
Whereas the people of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the United States 
        share a long history of friendship, economic cooperation, and enduring 
        family ties, and the interests of both nations are well served by 
        strengthening and deepening the bilateral relationship;
Whereas the United States Congress adopted, and the President signed into law, 
        the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009, which authorizes 
        democratic, economic, development, and security assistance over 5 years 
        to help the Pakistani people achieve their aspirations for a democratic, 
        stable, and prosperous society; and
Whereas the United States remains committed to helping the resilient and 
        resourceful people of Pakistan surmount and recover from this natural 
        disaster: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) mourns the significant loss of life, as well as the physical 
        damage, caused by the flooding in Pakistan;
            (2) expresses its deepest condolences and sympathy to the families 
        of the victims of the floods, and its solidarity with the millions of 
        affected Pakistanis;
            (3) recognizes that Pakistan is and remains a close ally and friend 
        of the United States;
            (4) recognizes that an effective and accountable government in 
        Pakistan is essential for the country's long-term recovery and 
        stability;
            (5) urges the United States Administration and the international 
        community, including private citizens and foreign governments, to 
        continue providing assistance to help the people of Pakistan and to help 
        strengthen and support the capacity of the Government of Pakistan to 
        meet the needs of its people;
            (6) supports the use of funds authorized by the Enhanced Partnership 
        with Pakistan Act of 2009 for the purposes of providing long-term 
        recovery and rehabilitation for flood-affected areas and populations;
            (7) urges a reexamination of priorities for spending the funds 
        authorized by the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act of 2009, with a 
        view toward ensuring that the needs of the Pakistani people are 
        appropriately addressed in the aftermath of the disaster;
            (8) commends the relief and recovery actions, still underway, by the 
        United States military, the Department of State, and USAID to assist the 
        people of Pakistan during this critical period;
            (9) commends the extraordinary humanitarian efforts and sustained 
        commitment to helping the people of Pakistan by international and 
        nongovernmental organizations;
            (10) recognizes the contributions of the Pakistani-American 
        community and United States businesses to relief and recovery efforts in 
        Pakistan; and
            (11) reaffirms the commitment of the people of the United States to 
        partner with the people of Pakistan to respond to the immediate crisis 
        and build the foundations for a successful and lasting recovery.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.