[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1613 Introduced in House (IH)]
111th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1613
Expressing condolences to and solidarity with the people of Pakistan in
the aftermath of the devastating floods that began on July 22, 2010.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 14, 2010
Mr. Berman (for himself, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, Mr. Van Hollen, Mr. Burton
of Indiana, Mr. Ackerman, Mr. Faleomavaega, Mr. Gene Green of Texas,
Ms. Lee of California, and Mr. Deutch) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing condolences to and solidarity with the people of Pakistan in
the aftermath of the devastating floods that began on July 22, 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.
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